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CAPITAL BERG – A new study has found that US kids actually eat fruits, just certain types of fruits. While they’re not be crazy about peaches, oranges, or pineapples, researchers say that kids think apples are superior to all other fruits and vegetables.
Doctors and dieticians are pleased with the discovery as it indicates that kids and teens can be convinced to eat healthier as long as the adults around them know which fruits the young ones enjoy.
Dr. Deena Blanchard, from the NYU Langone Medical Center, offered a statement to CBS News informing that “You want to think about what kids like so then you can offer that to kids from an early age”. She added that “The other thing is that we know kids are more likely to try new foods if they try it with something they like”, so this is a good strategy in the long fun.
The study carried out by Dr. Blanchard and her team has revealed that apples are the number one fruit choice among American kids and teens, with the tasty treat amounting to about 19 percent (19%) of all fruits and vegetables that most young people in the two (2) to 19 age group consume.
The number two fruit choice among American kids and teens was not actually a specific fruit, but fruit juice in general. The number three fruit choice among American kids and teens was bananas, and the number four fruit choice among American kids and teens was melons.
The research team reach these conclusions after lookeing at data provide by more than 3.100 kids who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, between the years of 2011 and 2012.
The study also revealed that kids take a third of their fruit consumption from 100 percent (100%) natural fruit juices. Some experts have speculated that kids simply prefer drinking fruits rather than chewing them.
But this choice should not necessarily be encouraged as health experts inform that fruit juices don’t have the same health value as whole fruits. Dr. Blanchard explained that those who choose to consume fruit juices instead of whole fruits don’t get the same level of fiber.
It’s also worth mentioning that fruit juices may lead to weight gain under certain circumstances. One possible explanation is that fruits contain hidden sugars, and drinking them, rather than eating them may make individuals consume a larger quantity.
The American Academy of Pediatrics agrees with this statement as the institution warns parents that they should not give toddlers more than four (4) or six (6) ounces of fruit juice on a daily basis. The primary liquids that young children consume should be and milk.
Field experts also say that kids may feel compelled to consume apples if parents mix these fruits with peanut butter or cereal, or simply add an apple to their kid’s lunchbox.
The study was published earlier this week, on Monday, September 21, 2015, in the journal Pediatrics.
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