What are the harmful effects of children not eating vegetables?

This is an automatically translated article.

Most parents struggle to convince their children to eat vegetables. Children refusing to eat vegetables is a common symptom when starting solid foods. If the baby does not eat vegetables for a long time, it will cause some health consequences.

1. Why children refuse to eat vegetables?

Do not feel alone when your baby does not eat vegetables, because not only in Vietnam but many parts of the world, including developed countries, have children with this condition. Here are some statistics on children who refuse to eat vegetables:
In Singapore: In a survey conducted by the Health Promotion Board about the quality of food served in school canteens, they found that there were only about 25 % of children aged 7 to 12 years eating recommended daily fruit and vegetables. In addition, among 13-16 year olds, less than half of them are willing to eat the vegetable dishes served at school. In Australia: Almost 99% of children and adolescents (ages 2 to 18) do not get the recommended daily amount of vegetables. In the UK: 4 out of 5 children refuse to eat vegetables. So why children refuse to eat vegetables? Here are some explanations given:
1.1. Baby refuses to eat vegetables due to fear of food Fear of new foods, also known as agoraphobia, is a natural behavior commonly seen in toddlers and peaks in children as young as 2 years of age. to 6 years old. In addition, this is the period when children begin to develop independence in their food choices and tastes. The combination of these two factors often leads to a dinnertime battle between parents and children, in which the child does not eat vegetables.
1.2. The distinctive taste of green vegetables Ask around for the main reason people don't want to eat vegetables, including children and adults. The answer you will most likely get is because vegetables have a bitter taste. This bitter taste is due to the presence of calcium and nutrients naturally found in plants, including phenols and polyphenols of plant origin. Flavonoids, isoflavones, terpenes and glucosinolates act as natural self-defense systems of plants.
In nature, plants protect themselves from predators by producing these bitter-tasting compounds. However, these plant-based compounds offer benefits for our health! Many studies have shown that they have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties as well as effects that inhibit the growth of tumors. Therefore, a diet rich in vegetables and fruits is often associated with reduced rates of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

1.3. There are many foods that are sweeter and more appealing than vegetables. Today, food manufacturers are constantly developing ways to reduce or eliminate these bitter ingredients from foods, the main aim being to accept received by consumers.
Children very easily accept sweet foods and love them. However, many health care professionals have pointed out that sweet foods (chocolate, sweets, soft drinks) are one of the causes of obesity.
1.4. Children have not yet been familiar with the taste of green vegetables One of the reasons children refuse to eat vegetables is because they have not yet been familiar with the taste of vegetables. After a while, children will gradually adapt to vegetable dishes. So don't expect your baby to like something the first time it's eaten, especially if the taste isn't entirely pleasant.
Your baby will need at least 10 to 15 exposures (repeatedly) to a new food before accepting and liking it.

2. What are the harmful effects of children not eating vegetables?

Vegetables contain important nutrients needed for the proper development and growth of a child, such as folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, and fiber. These nutrients are found mostly in dark green leafy vegetables. However, children can also add other vegetables, such as colored vegetables like carrots and yellow bell peppers. The vitamin and mineral composition of all vegetables is different, so it's important to give your child a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Children who refuse to eat vegetables for a long time can face a series of health problems such as:
Obesity Constipation Infections Children growth retardation and poor development In addition, fruits and vegetables different color groups also provide us with different vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, so it is important for children to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables to get the nutrients they need. maximum. Furthermore, some fruits are high in calories and consuming too much can lead to weight gain.
Some parents may think about buying a vegetable substitute for their kids, but it's not advisable. This is because vegetables provide us with many other ingredients that are difficult to contain in supplements. Therefore, it is still advisable to encourage children to eat vegetables whenever possible.

3. What to do when the child refuses to eat vegetables?

Faced with children who do not eat vegetables, parents need to calm down, look for causes and suitable solutions. Here are some suggestions:
Keep in mind your child's preferences As mentioned, children will often avoid trying any new food, especially if it doesn't taste right in the first place. Thus, forcing children to eat vegetables is not advisable. Put yourself in the child's shoes, the parents will also refuse the food and you most likely won't want to touch the food again. So are children. Furthermore, we need to keep in mind that every child has different tastes and their preferences change from day to day.
Be patient when your baby doesn't eat vegetables The best advice for parents is to start by giving your child a variety of vegetables each day, not just the ones they like. If your baby refuses or eats only a small amount at first, that's normal. On average, babies need about 10 to 15 or even up to 20 repeated exposures before they accept a new food.
Therefore, parents should let children decide what foods they want to eat. Ultimately, parents should aim to make mealtime a pleasurable experience. Maintaining a frustrated attitude will not solve the problem, it can lead to a lot of anxiety, frustration and make children picky eaters.
Parents should set an example for children Children are very good imitators, so if your child sees you eating and enjoying a variety of nutritious foods, the more likely your child will enjoy their food. This shows how important it is to eat meals together as a family, as eating habits are often formed during the childhood years. As a result, children are more likely to meet the daily recommended amount of fruit and vegetables if they sit at the family table.
Exposing children to more green vegetables Creating opportunities for children to participate in grocery shopping or food preparation can solve this problem. Parents can ask children to choose their favorite fruits and vegetables when grocery shopping or engage in simple food preparation stages, such as washing fruits and vegetables. This can spark a child's interest in these foods.
Avoid using food as a reward Another mistake some parents make is that they give a reward if the child eats a vegetable or fruit. This is not a healthy practice, instead the child will learn how to manipulate the parent.
Diversify the ways to prepare green vegetables Each child has different preferences and tastes. A child who prefers foods with a soft texture will likely prefer well-cooked vegetables, and vice versa. Some other kids may enjoy being served sweeter veggies like pumpkin, sweet corn, or cauliflower along with other veggies. In addition, preparing vegetables of different colors can be visually appealing to children. In the end, the most important thing parents need to remember is to be patient and keep trying!
In a nutshell, vegetables contain important nutrients necessary for the proper development and growth of children. If the baby does not eat vegetables for a long time, it will cause some health consequences. Therefore, in the face of children who do not eat vegetables, parents need to calm down, look for causes and suitable solutions.
For children to be healthy and develop well, it is necessary to have a nutritious diet in terms of quantity and quality balance. If children are not provided with adequate and balanced nutrients, it will lead to diseases of excess or lack of nutrients, which adversely affect the comprehensive development of children in terms of physical, mental and motor skills.
Children who do not eat properly are at risk of micro-mineral deficiency causing anorexia, growth retardation, malabsorption,... If they notice the above signs, parents should supplement their children with products. The supplement contains lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, and B vitamins to help fully meet the nutritional needs of children. At the same time, these essential vitamins also support digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, help improve anorexia, and help children eat well.
Parents can learn more:
Signs of zinc deficiency in children
Micronutrient deficiency and failure to gain weight in children
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents please regularly visit the website vimec.com and make appointments with the leading doctors, pediatric specialists - nutritionists of Vinmec International General Hospital when needing advice on children's health.