French Fries Are The No. 1 Vegetable Toddlers Eat, Study Says

ARLINGTON, Va. (CBS Local) — A new study shows major gaps in food choices in youngster’s diets. More than 27 percent of young children do not consume a single discrete serving of vegetables on any given day, according to the Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study. Among the vegetables toddlers do eat — French fries are the no. 1 vegetable consumed. According to the study, after a child turns one their food choices tend to change as they eat more family foods. By age two, many children have preferences and eating habits that will last their lifetime — and that’s why health experts want parents to help their children create healthy eating behaviors. “Good nutrition during a child’s early years is particularly critical because it sets the stage for healthy eating throughout life,” said Dr. Wendy Johnson with Nutrition, Health and Wellness for Nestlé USA. “Exposing young children to a rainbow of fruits and vegetables, and a variety of foods and flavors, is important as children are forming their tastes and eating habits for life.” For the study, nearly 10,000 parents and caregivers of children under the age of four were surveyed for the study. Gerber began the study in 2002. It’s now conducted by Nestlé Research. The study also found that young children consume sweets and excess sodium. Other things FITS found: Iron: The percentage of infants between 6 and 12 months old who do not consume the recommended amount...
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