Broccoli and cauliflower top vegetables shunned by kids

A campaign to help Scottish parents get greens on plates launched today, as new research revealed almost a third (29 per cent) of parents surveyed have at some point given up trying to feed their children vegetables.

As part of this year’s Eat Better Feel Better drive, kids are being challenged to try a new vegetable every day for five days – and frustrated parents will be signposted to recipes and ideas to help make it happen.

Today, children from Axis Health Hub, part of North Glasgow Healthy Living Community, in Ruchill, Glasgow, set the ball rolling as they tried broccoli and cauliflower for the first time – the two vegetables that top the list of those parents struggle to feed their children most¹.

With research highlighting over a third of parents with children aged six months to 18 years (37 per cent) become frustrated when trying to get their children to eat veg at mealtimes, the Eat Better Feel Better campaign aims to support parents to help them make healthier changes to the way they shop, cook and eat.

The campaign website now includes over 180 recipes that are quick, easy and affordable for families looking to eat better and feel better.

The recipes include a host of vegetables to help children reach their five-a-day target, and many feed a family of four for under a fiver.

Over 52,000 mums in Scotland claimed to have taken action to shop, cook and eat more healthily following the most recent burst of the Eat Better Feel Better² – a figure that the Scottish Government hopes to increase with the support of the 300 community groups and retailers backing the campaign.

Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell MSP said:

“The message we want to get across today is that by making small changes to how you shop, cook and eat, you and your family can eat better and ultimately feel better.

“We understand from listening to parents that getting children to eat vegetables can be challenging, but Eat Better Feel Better is focused on providing simple, quick and cheap ways to make mealtimes healthier and less stressful.

“Diet plays such an important part in ensuring the health and wellbeing of children, which is why it’s vital we continue to give parents the support and advice to make healthier choices. Over the coming months, we’ll be working with hundreds of community groups, voluntary organisations and retailers across Scotland to provide this support as well as directing parents to the Eat Better Feel Better website which is packed with easy recipes and handy meal planners.”

Danielle Molloy from Ruchill, Glasgow, has three children aged nine, seven and two and has been using Axis Health Hubs since September 2016.

Danielle said:

“It’s really important that we encourage our children to enjoy eating more veg but as a mum of three children under ten, I know the problems us parents can face.

“Kids can be so fussy when it comes to eating healthy food. I’ve gone through countless tantrums at the dinner table, from refusing to eat their dinner because one type of food touched the other, to not liking the colour of carrots.

“I heard about Eat Better Feel Better through coming to Axis Health Hubs. They told me to go on their website, which has a fussy eaters and handy hints section with loads of ideas for getting your kids to try new things.

“I’m pleased to be involved in this campaign because as it will give parents the opportunity to share some of the ideas that have worked for them and hopefully benefit other families in helping their kids to eat more healthily.”

For more tips and advice on eating healthier visit www.eatbetterfeelbetter.co.uk

For further information contact Consolidated PR on 0131 240 6420 or email scotland@consolidatedpr.com

Notes to editors

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1002 adults, of which 203 were parents with children aged 6 months to 18 years old. Fieldwork was undertaken between 29th November - 2nd December 2016.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all Scottish adults (aged 18+).

¹ Responses to the vegetables parents find it most difficult to get their child to eat were as follows: Cauliflower: 21 per cent, Broccoli: 18 per cent; Pepper: nine per cent; Green beans: six per cent; Carrots: five per cent; Peas: five per cent; Sweetcorn: three per cent; Other: two per cent.

² Source: TNS research April 2016, 300 mothers of children aged 5-15 in Scotland.

• Eat Better Feel Better aims to inspire and support parents and families to make healthier changes to the way they shop, cook and eat, with the aim of improving their health.

• The campaign provides parents with primary school aged children the right tools and knowledge around eating healthily on a budget.

• Thousands of families across Scotland have benefitted from healthy recipes, tips and resources since the campaign launched in 2014, thanks to the support of over 300 stakeholders, community groups and retailers.

• Healthy recipes and simple hints and tips on everything from dealing with fussy eaters and shopping on a budget to planning your meals and finding time to cook is available on the campaign website www.eatbetterfeelbetter.co.uk