Some days, there is nothing more difficult than getting your kids to finish their food. But thanks to a new study published in Acta Paediatrica, there may now be an easier way to get them to eat. According to researchers, the more colorful the food, the more your children will find it appetizing.
To find further proof, researchers presented 46 adults and 23 preteens with full-sized photos of different food combinations on a plate. Results revealed that the kids preferred the more colorful plates and that they liked it when their entrees are arranged in figurative designs.
Brian Wansink, professor of Marketing in Cornell's Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, said that kids and adults have different ideas of what appetizing means. "Our study shows how to make the changes so the broccoli and fish look tastier than they otherwise would to little Casey or little Audrey," he said.
So the next time you find yourself preparing lunch or dinner, why don’t you be more creative with plating? While the nutritional value your kids are getting is always the first priority, it doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun choosing colors that are a real feast--not just for the stomach, but for the eyes as well.
For more on kids and food, check these out on FN:
- Say Goodbye to Picky Eaters! Get Your Kids to Help in the Kitchen
- Family Fun: Recipes Your Kids Can Make
(Photo by Debs Debs via Flickr Creative Commons)
