This is one of the main findings of a study conducted on behalf of Philips AVENT to mark the launch of its new toddler range

 

A toddler’s mealtime is a daily challenge for most parents with over 65 per cent claiming ‘they find it difficult to get their little ones to eat properly’, a study revealed yesterday.

Almost 40 per cent of toddlers ‘want to eat whatever is on mummy’s plate rather than theirs’ and another 50 per cent ‘suddenly decide to stop eating something they have previously liked’ leaving their parents completely puzzled. This is probably why eight out of ten mums get creative and slightly fib to their kids to get them to eat the right foods, the study showed.

Almost 83 per cent of mums admitted to telling their youngsters an average of two little fibs a day to encourage them to eat things they aren’t keen on such as fruit and vegetables or to put them off sweets and fizzy drinks. And the most common fib is that eating vegetables will make them grow big and strong like their favourite TV heroes, with 65 per cent admitting to using this line on their child.

Another 49 per cent tell their children that carrots will allow them see in the dark and almost a quarter have pretended that crusts from bread will give them curly hair.

 
Other popular small fibs include ‘Spinach will help you grow strong like Popeye’ and claiming that the ice cream van only plays music when it has run out of lollies.

But while four out of ten mums admit they feel guilty for lying to their children, 60 per cent say they sometimes reach a point where they simply don’t know what else to do.

 
Deneice Harwin from Philips AVENT*, which commissioned the study to mark the launch of its Toddler Feeding Range, said: ‘’Encouraging toddlers to eat new foods can be a nightmare for parents and make meal times the most stressful part of the day.

 

‘’But it’s important that they get the right nutrients and this means eating fruit and veg, which tend to be the worst foods in children’s eyes.

 
‘’So it’s no wonder parents are telling little fibs to their children in an attempt to get them to eat certain things.

 
‘’If kids think eating more vegetables will help them grow up to be like Ben 10 or Sportacus from Lazy Town, then hopefully they will be more willing to eat what is put in front of them without a fight.’’

 

The study of 3,000 mums revealed that almost two thirds of parents struggle to get their toddlers to eat a healthy, balanced diet. And 69 per cent consider their child to be a fussy eater.

 
But 89 per cent worry about whether their children are getting all the right nutrients they need, with 13 per cent so concerned that they have even taken their child to see a doctor or nutritionist.

 
This is why almost 41 per cent of parents have resorted to hiding unwanted food among something they do like, while another 36 per cent make eating it a game.


The study also showed that 80 per cent of people have given in when their child refused to eat something, just to avoid the hassle.

 
While more than a quarter just tell their children they can’t get down from the table until it is all gone, and 23 per cent have even pretended it is something else which they do like.

 
Dr. Gillian Harris, Child Psychologist, added: “Parents looking for an easier time at the table should remember that the best way to get a child to enjoy eating is to interact with them and get them interested in food - if a child is interested in what's going on their plate and what they put in their mouth, parents are less likely to need to battle to get them to eat something. The characters and games on the new Philips AVENT range help make this an easy job for parents by giving them something to talk about at meal times."


Philips AVENT has also teamed up with home economist Lorna Brash and nutritionist Fiona Hunter to create new delicious recipes to give mums cooking ideas to prepare healthy and nutritious meals for their babies, toddlers and even their child ‘First grown up meal’. The Philips AVENT Steamer and Blender makes this even easier as mums can steam and then blend in one compact appliance – no mess, no loss of nutrients and no fuss!

          
The survey has been commissioned by Philips AVENT to celebrate the launch of the new Toddler Mealtime Range.

 
For further information and tips on weaning and toddler feeding please visit www.mybabytalk.co.uk.