According to new research children today eat more exotic and adventurous foods at an early age than previous generations. Almost six in ten parents of under-fives even claim their child has a more varied diet than they do. But the early exotic start could have a lasting effect with 72 per cent of parents believing a child who has a more varied diet will be more adventurous and willing to try new foods as they get older.
Kiddylicious nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed, which commissioned the research to mark the launch of My First Wafers, said: “Parents today have more choice than ever when it comes to foods they can feed their babies, meaning youngsters are eating far more exotic and adventurous foods from an early age."
“Olives, quinoa and couscous are foods which weren’t readily available in previous generations but are now staple items in a lot of households, with this reflected in the diets of young children."
According to the findings nearly one in ten youngsters today have had their first taste of quinoa before their 5th birthday. Other foods growing in popularity with young children include sweet potatoes, couscous, hummus and asparagus.
