Over a quarter (27%) of young children do not consume a single serving of vegetables on a given day, according to the latest findings from the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS). Published in a series of eight papers in the Journal of Nutrition, the study further and very simply concludes, “Low consumption of iron-rich foods, fruit and vegetables and a lack of variety in vegetable consumption are problems.”

Study authors say that this low consumption is also concerning because by age two, many children have preferences and eating habits that will last their lifetime so it is important for parents to help their children create healthy eating behaviors early.

The researchers said parents should encourage children to try a variety of fruits and vegetables and that it could take up to 10 times for kids to accept new foods so be persistent.

They suggest the following:

• For infants: include pureed or mashed peas, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, and green beans.
• For toddlers and preschoolers: consider mashed or small, soft cooked dices of sweet potatoes, peas, green beans, carrots, red peppers or zucchini.
• At mealtime, finger foods including red/green pepper slices, cooked broccoli pieces and cucumber slices can spark some kid-friendly creativity.
• Try double dipping at snack time – dip small bite sized veggies in veggies – like bean dip, guacamole or hummus.

(For more tips watch, “Getting Kids to Eat Their Veggies,” with Toby Amidor, Registered Dietitian)

This study also underscores the importance of consumer choice and the need for readily available, accessible and affordable fruits and veggies for consumers.  Parents should also be reassured about the safety of all fruits and veggies. The science shows that parents can choose organic or conventional produce for their families with confidence because both production methods yield safe and nutritious foods.  After all, a farmer’s first consumer is his or her very own family.

And, kids aren’t the only ones not eating enough.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, only one in 10 Americans consume the recommended amount of fruits and veggies each day.  With decades of nutritional studies showing the immense health benefits at any age of a diet rich in organic and conventional fruits and veggies, it is important to encourage consumption of all produce and not unfairly disparage one production method in an effort to promote the other.