Fruits and vegetables do not always mix well with children, but it seems that presentation plays a very important role in how children perceive the food.
Researchers offered a hundred children between four and seven a mixture of fruits and vegetables that were presented in a variety of ways. According to the journal Appetite, children consumed twice as much fruit when it was stuck like sticks in a watermelon to look like a hedgehog.
Parents are encouraged to make fruits and vegetables more appealing to children by varying flavours, colors, shapes and textures to arouse their curiosity.
Esther Jansen led the team of researchers. She commented: "The results indicated that visual appeal had a strong effect on consumption of the fruit. With respect to restriction, no effects were found. Parents, schools, supermarkets and food producers should take advantage of these results, and offer children fruit and vegetables that are presented in a visually appealing manner."
You can also make fruit smoothies and vegetable potages and soups.