Children put off fruit and veg by jar food

BABIES fed home-cooked food are more likely to eat fruit and vegetables when they are older than those given meals from jars and packets, researchers say.

Infants weaned on homemade casseroles and puddings develop a taste for what is good for them aged seven.

Experts from De Montfort University in Leicester, and the universities of Bristol and Birmingham, analysed data from 7,866 mothers of children born in 1991 and 1992.

The results showed that youngsters who were frequently given home-cooked fruit or vegetables aged six months were more likely to be eating higher amounts of fruit and veg aged seven than those given home-cooked meals less often.

There was no positive effect on later eating habits for babies fed shop-bought meals.

Writing in the journal Public Health Nutrition, the researchers said: “The findings support the concept that exposure to fruit and vegetables is important in the early weaning period.”

Dr Helen Coulthard, from De Montfort University, said mothers should give infants a home-cooked fruit or vegetable every day.

“The range and type of foods that young children eat is becoming an increasing cause for concern. In particular, children do not seem to be eating the amounts of fruit and vegetables recommended for health.

“In 1998, the average intake of fruit and vegetables in young children in the UK was two and half portions a day. There have been, and continue to be, many initiatives to increase this figure to the recommended five portions a day. Feeding babies ready-prepared fruit and vegetables at six months had no positive effect on later fruit and vegetable consumption.

“This may be due to the fact that infants are fed types of vegetables in ready-prepared foods that the family do not usually eat.

“It may also be that mothers who use ready-prepared foods do not eat as much fruit and vegetables themselves.

“In addition fruit and vegetables from packets, jars and tins are likely to have a uniform taste and texture, whereas those cooked at home or eaten raw will vary according to the variety of the particular fruit or vegetable, whether it is in season and the cooking method. These variations in the taste and texture of fruit and vegetables should expose an infant’s palate to a wider range of experience, increasing the likelihood they will accept a wider range of foods.”

The study found that babies weaned earlier, between four and six months, and given fruit and vegetables regularly, had the highest level of consumption aged seven.

Those weaned when they were aged around six months old, and given fruit and vegetables less frequently, were less likely to eat them aged seven.