Why do kids find unhealthy food tastier than healthy food?
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Processed foods tend to be more unhealthy, but are also often absoloutly predictable. Every chicken nugget from McDonalds has 1 of 4 shapes. Every one prepared correctly has the same taste and texture.
Kids (and many adults) don’t do great with surprises and like predictable things they can understand. Everyone gronks a McNugget.
To get kids to eat healthier it’s good to start with things you can make predictably. Bite sized veggies, on their own, with predictable levels of seasoning, are good. Little carrots, slices of cucumber, bite sized bits of healthy food where the child can see it, study it and understand it before they eat it is great.
Last note: Try hard to never force a child to eat something they don’t like. Sometimes a scent or texture just does not work and they won’t ‘like it if they try it’. Instead, try to go for positive reinforcement and celebrate when you find something they do like, especially if it’s a healthy choice.
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