A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Granada has concluded that children can consume up to 80 percent more veggies if they are allowed to choose the vegetables they like. Researchers have also pointed out to the bitterness which characterizes the calcium-rich foods like cabbage, onions, chard, spinach, broccoli and collard greens as the leading cause behind rejections by a child.
The study authors took into account the main factors that influenced the vegetable intake in children below 6 years of age. They named the strategy as "Provision of Choice". And they encouraged children to select the vegetables for each meal.
Around 150 children from Granada based public schools managed by the Foundation Granada Educa took part in the study. Children were allowed to choose the vegetables that they wanted to have for lunch. The strategy was found to increase the vegetable consumption by up to 80 percent.
The researchers also observed that children who were set free to choose veggies, ingested an additional 20 grams and this amounted to an average of 40 grams per day between lunch and dinner. The ration served was 150 grams. The study authors believe that it is a very important quantity.
