TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent
theAsianparent
Product Guide
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
  • Parenting
  • Child
  • Feeding & Nutrition
  • Education
  • Lifestyle
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP
Login
    • Articles
  • Together Against RSVTogether Against RSV
  • PregnancyPregnancy
  • ParentingParenting
  • ChildChild
  • Feeding & NutritionFeeding & Nutrition
  • EducationEducation
  • LifestyleLifestyle
  • EventsEvents
  • Holiday HubHoliday Hub
  • AptamilAptamil
  • TAP RecommendsTAP Recommends
  • ShoppingShopping
  • Press ReleasesPress Releases
  • Project SidekicksProject Sidekicks
  • CommunityCommunity
  • Advertise With UsAdvertise With Us
  • Contact UsContact Us
  • VIPVIP
    • Community
  • Poll
  • Photos
  • Food
  • Recipes
  • Topics
  • Read Articles
    • Tracker
  • Pregnancy Tracker
  • Baby Tracker
    • Rewards
  • RewardsRewards
  • Contests
  • VIP ParentsVIP Parents
    • More
  • Feedback

Privacy PolicyCommunity GuidelinesSitemap HTML

Download our free app

google play store
app store

One in five toddlers has never eaten a vegetable in their life, study says

2 min read
One in five toddlers has never eaten a vegetable in their life, study says

“Since teaching kids to eat healthy food early on is associated with increased acceptance of these foods later on, the study encourages parents to persist.”

Vegetables are not exactly the tastiest and most appealing food you could eat, so it does make sense that children have an aversion to them.

Still, it’s should be an important part of of their diet.

However, according to an alarming new study, one in five toddlers have never tried a vegetable in their life. What that basically means is that for some years now they have been deprived essential nutrients and vitamins they need to grow.

“A survey found that parents have been so tired of the daily eating battle that they have stopped trying altogether,” said a Parent Herald report. “As a result, more than 30,000 toddlers based in the UK are not getting their 5-a-day, which is the consumption of at least five portions of fruits and vegetables daily.”

Meanwhile, in the United States, only 30% of one-year-olds eat vegetables.

One in Five Toddlers has Never Eaten a Vegetable, Research Says

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys also said that it is during this time that toddlers are being introduced to junk food and form a dependency toward it.

To their credit, parents have tried myriad tactics and tricks to get their children to eat vegetables, such as using the television as a distraction. But soon they get tired o trying, and eventually relents to feeding their children tastier food.

“Since teaching kids to eat healthy food early on is associated with increased acceptance of these foods later on, the study encourages parents to persist,” said the Parent Herald report. “The study suggests the importance of introducing a variety of vegetable to kids during the early stages of reluctance.”

Vegetables posses a cornucopia of nutrients that help develop children’s bodies better.

Calcium, found in leafy greens and milk, develop and strengthen bones.

The Vitamin A found in carrots and other vegetables promotes healthy eyes and skin.

Vitamin C and lycopene found in tomatoes and other brightly colored vegetables are antioxidants that kill cancer-causing elements.

If your children are picky eaters and you as a parent don’t do anything to counter it, then it will cause them to have troubles physically and mentally later on, which you won’t wish upon them.

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them with us!

Partner Stories
The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.
The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.
Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop
Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop
Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold
Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold
Pre-Myopia Assessment: How Parents Can Reduce Their Child’s Risk of Myopia Before It Becomes Irreversible
Pre-Myopia Assessment: How Parents Can Reduce Their Child’s Risk of Myopia Before It Becomes Irreversible

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

James Martinez

  • Home
  • /
  • Health
  • /
  • One in five toddlers has never eaten a vegetable in their life, study says
Share:
  • The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.
    Partner Stories

    The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.

  • Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop
    Partner Stories

    Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop

  • Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold
    Partner Stories

    Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold

  • The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.
    Partner Stories

    The Secret to Raising an Adventurous Eater? More Variety, Not More Cooking.

  • Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop
    Partner Stories

    Infant Health and RSV Highlighted at Community Baby Preparation Workshop

  • Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold
    Partner Stories

    Commentary: Parents, Take Note: Leading Cause of Infant Hospitalisation Is RSV, Not the Common Cold

Feed

Feed

Get tailored articles about parenting, lifestyle, expert opinions right at your fingertips

Poll

Poll

Participate in interesting polls and see what other parents think!

Photos

Photos

Share the photos of loved ones in a safe, secure manner.

Topics

Topics

Join communities to bond with fellow mums and dads.

Tracker

Tracker

Track your pregnancy as well as baby’s development day-by-day!

theAsianparent

Download our free app

Google PlayApp Store

Mums around the world

Singapore flag
Singapore
Thailand flag
Thailand
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
Philippines flag
Philippines
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
India flag
India

Partner Brands

99.coVIP ParentsMama's ChoiceLittle ReiMothersworkTAP Awards

© Copyright theAsianparent 2026 . All rights reserved

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Sitemap HTML
  • Advertise With Us
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it