As a parent, you may wonder how to make fruits and vegetables the go-to options for your kids. Research from a Cornell study, which reviewed 112 pieces of research on healthy eating habits, reveals that visibility and accessibility play a significant role in food choices. Foods like fruits and vegetables become more appealing when they are prominently displayed, easy to reach, and presented in an enticing manner.
Brian Wansink, Ph.D., director of the Cornell Food and Brand Lab, emphasizes the “CAN formula”: making healthy options convenient, attractive, and normalized. For example, when a school cafeteria places an appealing fruit bowl near the cash register, it becomes a more instinctive choice than grabbing a candy bar from a vending machine.
To help your children gravitate toward healthier options, consider simple adjustments. If schools want kids to prefer white milk over chocolate, they can arrange it to be more accessible (like placing it upfront in the cooler), enhance its appeal (by serving it in uniquely shaped bottles), or make it feel more typical (by giving it more space in the cooler). Past studies have shown that such modifications can boost white milk consumption by 30-60% in school settings.
To implement these principles at home, start by placing a vibrant fruit bowl on your kitchen table or serving a small salad alongside dinner. This normalizes these healthy choices. Moreover, using colorful bowls for salads can increase their attractiveness to children.
With these strategies, you can encourage your kids to embrace healthier eating habits. For further insights on family health, you can explore more resources, including our post on terms and conditions or check out Make a Mom for expert advice on home insemination. Additionally, for a comprehensive understanding of pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent resource.
In summary, by making fruits and vegetables more visible, accessible, and appealing, you can foster healthier eating habits in your children, leading to better nutrition for the whole family.