Complementary feeding: Vegetables first, frequently and in variety

Abstract

Diets rich in fruit and vegetables are associated with lower risk of a number of chronic health problems, but the majority of people do not consume enough of these foods. The main predictor of fruit and vegetable intake is enjoyment of these foods, but vegetables are often disliked, especially by children. Food preferences developed in the early years track throughout childhood and beyond and, therefore, it is critical that vegetable liking is promoted at the very earliest opportunity. The start of complementary feeding is a sensitive period for the development of food preferences, as infants will readily accept new foods and quickly learn to like them. Repeated exposure to a variety of vegetables during complementary feeding is an effective way to encourage infants to accept these foods. Recent research has suggested that offering vegetables exclusively for the first few weeks of complementary feeding offers additional benefits, but survey data indicate that this is not yet commonly practised in the UK. Encouraging UK parents to adopt a 'vegetables first, frequently and in variety' approach to complementary feeding is likely to steer children towards a lifelong preference for these foods and all the associated health benefits.