Research led by Professor Carmel Houston-Price has shown that pre-schoolers are more likely to eat vegetables at mealtimes if they are already familiar with what the vegetable looks like and where it comes from.
Houston-Prince said: “We know family mealtimes can be difficult and this becomes even more stressful if children refuse to eat fruit and vegetables. We have an answer with our SEE & EAT books and resources - the idea is to spend a bit of time helping children to SEE the new food and become familiar with what it is so that when they are later given the opportunity, they will be happy to EAT it.
“Our studies show that after two weeks of looking at a SEE & EAT book for just a few minutes every day, pre-school children are more willing to taste a vegetable they wouldn’t eat before, they eat more of the vegetable and they are more likely to say that they like it. Parents tell us they find it easier and more enjoyable to give their child vegetables at mealtimes, too.”
There are 19 SEE & EAT books that help children to get to know their vegetables by showing each food’s journey ‘from farm to fork.’
A parent, who left a review on Amazon, commented: “My son never likes tomatoes, so we chose the tomato book. Before we looked at the book, he wouldn’t even put them near his mouth, but once we’d looked at the book he recognised what they were and would ask to try tomatoes.”