For parents seeking healthy eating facts for kids, recent survey results reveal some eye‐opening insights into the state of children’s diets in Britain.
In a study by HelloFresh, almost seven in ten parents admitted their children have never sampled dark, leafy greens like cavolo nero, and nearly 60% haven’t tried pak choi, fennel, or tofu.
It’s a wake-up call that even the so-called “superfoods” – think shiitake mushrooms (used by 57 of every 100 parents), aubergine (55 out of 100), and figs (51 out of 100) – remain a mystery to many youngsters.
A Surprising Appetite for the Untried
Experts have long championed a diet rich in colourful, unprocessed foods. Yet, roughly four out of ten children have never been introduced to asparagus, despite its vitamin-packed benefits, while over a third haven’t tasted beetroot – a powerhouse of folate and potassium essential for healthy growth.
With nearly two-fifths of parents expressing concern about their child’s diet, it’s clear that more variety is needed at the family table.
The survey paints a picture of culinary monotony, with most families relying on the same 10-15 ingredients week after week.
Parental Concerns and Kitchen Conundrums
The challenges aren’t just about the ingredients themselves. Some 23 out of every 100 parents say healthy foods are too expensive, while almost one-quarter report that their children simply dislike the taste of vegetables.
Around 30% admit they’re unsure how to incorporate certain veggies into recipes, and 14% worry that the texture of some healthy foods turns their kids off completely.
Unsurprisingly, 78% of parents label their children as “fussy eaters” – although nearly a third notice that involving kids in cooking can ease that fussiness.
Additional pressures are evident at mealtime: nearly one-fifth of parents feel overwhelmed and stressed by family meals, one in six are exhausted just thinking about what to cook, and a small group (8%) experience guilt over not serving a healthier dinner.
Moreover, over half wish that mealtime could be a more enjoyable experience, free from the distractions of screens (about one in three) or the battle of getting kids to remain seated at the table (roughly one in four).
Even the charming white lies persist. Parents still lean on classics like “carrots helping you see in the dark” (45% rely on this notion), “an apple a day keeping the doctor away” (36% use it), or “spinach giving you muscles.”
About one in four even describe broccoli as “tiny trees,” while 14% warn that “if you don’t eat your peas, you will be sad.”
Top Ten Super Foods British Kids & Teens Have Never Tried 🇬🇧🥦
| Super Food | Percentage Never Tried |
|---|---|
| Cavolo Nero 🥬 | 65% |
| Pak Choi 🥬 | 60% |
| Fennel 🌿 | 60% |
| Shitake Mushrooms 🍄 | 57% |
| Tofu 🍱 | 56% |
| Aubergine 🍆 | 55% |
| Figs | 51% |
| Asparagus 🌱 | 41% |
| Pomegranate 🍎 | 38% |
| Beetroot | 37% |
Turning Mealtime Into an Adventure
To spark a love for varied flavours and broaden young palates, nutritionist Rob Hobson – author of Unprocess Your Life – has teamed up with HelloFresh on the 60 Foods to Try Before You Turn 10 challenge, illustrated by Bobbie Rae.
Rob Hobson explains, “Getting kids to try new foods isn’t always easy but turning it into a fun challenge is a brilliant way to get them involved.
It makes food discovery exciting and gives kids a real sense of achievement when they try something new. It’s scientifically proven that encouraging variety early on helps set us up for a more balanced diet and a love for varied, good food in the future. Plus, it’s a great way to bring families together at mealtimes, which we know is never easy!”
This initiative aims to inject some adventure into mealtimes by introducing a physical chart into HelloFresh boxes, featuring at least two fruits or vegetables per meal, premium ingredients, and even a recyclable cool box.
Families can colour in the chart as they tick off each of the 60 foods, making the journey of healthy eating both interactive and engaging.
ROB’S TOP TIPS FOR ENCOURAGING FUSSY CHILDREN TO EAT A MORE VARIED DIET…
- The ‘Eat the Rainbow’ challenge – get kids excited about healthy eating with the fun and colourful ‘Eat the Rainbow’ challenge! Encourage them to explore a variety of fruits and veggies throughout the week, using the HelloFresh chart to track their choices. Watch their progress come to life in a vibrant, rainbow-coloured drawing. It’s an engaging and interactive way to make nutritious eating both fun and rewarding!
- Mystery taste test – blindfold your child and give them a small bite of a fruit or vegetable to guess. Keep it fun and pressure-free. If they don’t like it, that’s okay! It’s all about exploration.
- Food explorer – let kids take charge of choosing their meals to get them excited about food! Use the HelloFresh app to explore different recipes together, letting them pick a meal they’d love to try. While deciding what to choose, find a new fruit or vegetable from the recipe to learn fun facts about and prepare together at dinner time. A great way to make mealtime more adventurous and hands-on!
- ‘Would you rather?’ – give your kids fun choices: “Would you rather eat a carrot that gives you superhero vision or a blueberry that boosts your brain power?” This can spark curiosity and help them associate food with positive effects.
- Build-your-own plate – lay out different healthy options (veggies, grains, proteins) and let kids assemble their own meal. When they feel in control, they’re much more likely to eat what’s on their plate.
- Funny food names – rename foods to make them sound more exciting. Broccoli becomes ‘baby trees,’ chickpeas become ‘power beans,’ and sweet potatoes turn into ‘orange energy bites.’ Kids are more likely to try foods with fun names.
- The dipping game – let your kids experiment with different dips for veggies (hummus, guacamole, yogurt-based dips). They get to ‘test’ which combos they like best so it turns into a mini taste experiment!
- Start small and stay consistent – offer little portions of new foods alongside their favourites. Exposure is key, as kids may need to see a food more than ten times before they feel comfortable trying it. No pressure, just persistence!
- Pair new foods with familiar ones – serve a small portion of a new food with something they already enjoy. For example, if they love pasta, mix in a few new vegetables rather than serving them separately.
- Make it a no-pressure zone – avoid using bribes or making a big deal about trying something. Instead, say, “It’s here if you’d like to try it.” and let them decide. Pressure can make kids push back harder.
Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, adds: “We understand that getting dinner on the table can sometimes be a challenge for parents and we’re here to try and help take a small bit of pressure off.
Small amounts of variety each week can make a big difference in the long term and gamifying healthy eating encourages exploration, which can make food more exciting.
We’ve refreshed our boxes to offer customers more, with an increased range of ingredients delivered each week, you can start ticking off all 60 foods.”
For those ready to embrace a more varied and nutritious approach to family meals, this challenge could be the perfect starting point. Discover more tips from Rob and download the 60 Foods to try before you turn 10 at HelloFresh – if you’re ready for the challenge.
Whether it’s learning new healthy eating facts for kids or transforming mealtimes into a fun, interactive experience, the journey toward a more adventurous diet starts right at home.