A simple way to change children’s eating habits

The problem

In the UK, 33% of children aged 5-10 years eat less than one portion of vegetables a day.

In recent years, fruit and vegetable consumption has declined in adults too, with only 31% eating the recommended five portions a day, despite the decades long ‘5-a day’ campaign. Dietary patterns established in childhood typically continue into adulthood, and poor diets are now the leading cause of deaths globally.  

Crucially, even when children are provided with healthy food, they are not necessarily consuming it. An average school wastes 23% of the food served for lunch. Vegetables are the most-wasted school lunch item, accounting for around half of all food waste.  

Research demonstrates that multiple exposures to food significantly increase the likelihood of children incorporating that food into their diet. 

 “Children like what they know, and they eat what they like” says Dr Lucy Cooke, a chartered Research Psychologist with a specialism in children’s eating. 

The solution

The food education charity TastEd have a solution: a simple but effective one.

TastEd is a series of lessons – a sensory food education programme – which increases young children’s familiarity to vegetables and fruits in fun and non-pressurised environments.

Children explore food through their senses: the loud crunch of celery versus the gentle burst of a blueberry, and away from the pressures of a dining hall or mealtime. TastEd participants are reminded that “they don’t have to like, and they don’t have to try”.  

“92% of teachers and practitioners saw an increase in pupil’s confidence in trying new foods as a result of a TastEd session.” – TastEd Survey Data

By establishing familiarity and preferences for healthy vegetables and fruit, TastEd can support children to  navigate the complex food environment in which we now live, and make better choices for their life-long health (as well as for our environment.) 

How you can help

The TastEd vision is a world where every child develops lifelong healthy eating habits by learning to love eating fruits and vegetables.

If you’re a teacher, you can access TastEd’s free, easy to use resources.  There are currently over 1,400 nurseries and schools in the UK using TastEd resources.

If you’re a parent, you could try some of TastEd’s activities at home, or write to your school to let them know you’d love to instigate TastEd (training and resources are free.)

If you’re an individual who supports TastEd’s aims, you can donate to help get them into even more schools.