A NEW book published by a Reading institution is aiming to help children eat their greens this Christmas.
The University of Reading has published a book designed to help youngsters eat their vegetables over the festive period, including the much-maligned Brussels sprout.
Expert psychologists from the SEE & EAT team at the university conducted peer-reviewed research which examined the effect of reading books about vegetables on children’s willingness to eat them.
It showed that looking at a book about vegetables for a few minutes a day for two weeks was often enough to make a difference in how children felt about vegetables.
It also showed that pre-school children were more likely to eat a vegetable if they were familiar with how it looks, how it grows, and how it is prepared in advance– especially if they haven’t tried it before.
Now the team is releasing a book which charts the farm-to-fork journey of five vegetables likely to turn up on plates in the coming festive weeks, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts.
It is the latest in a series of 19 other books which explore the production cycle of vegetables by the team, supported by more than 15 years of research into supporting healthy eating in children.
The series was launched back in May, following the launch of a number of resources for family nutrition last year, and funded by European Institute of Innovation and Technology.
Professor Carmel Houston-Price, who leads the SEE & EAT team at the University of Reading, said: “Christmas is all about eating yummy food but vegetables can be yummy too.
“There’s not long left before Santa comes to town so now is the right time to start looking at the Christmas Vegetables picture book.
“Spending just a few minutes a day reading the book will mean no tears at the dining table and a healthy, happy child.
“The Christmas Vegetables picture book would make a great early Christmas gift for any parent who wants their little ones to eat healthily but needs a little help to get there.”
SEE & EAT Christmas Vegetables is available on Amazon, with a RRP of £14.99, but it is currently offered at a special pre-Christmas discounted price of £9.99.
More resources are available from the team via: reading.ac.uk
