New findings from TUI BLUE reveal a generation of choosy children when it comes to food, as almost three quarters of parents (72%) say their kids are fussy eaters. And as well as beachwear, travel games and sun cream, food is high on the holiday planning list with a third of parents (27%) worrying about accessing little one’s favourite eats when on holiday, and 28% admitting to filling the suitcase with snacks from home.
However, the study shows that family holidays can actually inspire kids to shake up their usual food choices. Over two thirds of the children polled (68%) enjoy trying new cuisines when given the chance, with spring rolls, paella and avocado being the most common foods kids have tried for the first time whilst on holiday, and one in five have even braved snails.
And despite parents calling their children fussy eaters, kids appear to be more adventurous than they are given credit for. When asked, 90% revealed the weird and wonderful food combinations they’d try if given the chance. Top choices for 6–11-year-olds include noodles and melted cheese, chips drizzled with chocolate, pizza topped with cornflakes and hotdogs sprinkled with popcorn. And although broccoli is number 3 on the least liked vegetable list, pairing It with ice cream would apparently make it more palatable, whilst ditching ketchup for peanut butter on a burger was also given the thumbs up.
To help families indulge these bolder tastes, TUI BLUE is introducing Adventurous Appetites, a menu of activities, including Odd Bites and Kids Á La Carte, that will put kids in the driving seat, trying new foods and creating new dishes to serve up to their parents this summer.
Sign up for ‘Odd Bites’, and be prepared to sample some very unexpected food combinations – anyone for marshmallow stuffed olives or coconut coated tomatoes? Families are challenged to unleash their senses and guess what they’re eating whilst blindfolded, experimenting with new tastes and encouraging kids to try new foods.
Or try Kids Á La Carte, where children are tasked with opening their own restaurant and the first customers are their parents. After preparing delicious snacks including tasty fruit bugs and rainbow pizzas, kids set up restaurant tables and serve their creations to their parents. The study showed that getting children in the kitchen to help with the cooking was the second most common method parents try (35%) to encourage them to try new foods, and a quarter of kids admit that they would try new food if they could invent their own recipes.
Louise Bates, Managing Director of TUI BLUE said: “Food is a great way to learn about new cultures – and it’s fantastic so many children are receptive to trying new tastes when holidaying in another country. Our mission with Adventurous Appetites is to encourage braver culinary choices and provide carefree family moments, one plate at a time. Holidays are a liberating time when we leave behind our day-to-day routines, so it’s the perfect opportunity to shake up what and how we eat. As well as Odd Bites and Kids Á La Carte, we’ve got a healthy eating challenge and at some hotels we also have kids cooking classes. We’ve also created some useful hints and tips with nutritionist Sarah Almond Bushell to help families have fun with food, stimulate culinary curiosity and embolden fussy eaters to try new things.”
When it comes to making changes, kids are willing to try something new, but they aren’t willing to do it alone. The study found that over 1 in 5 (21%) of children believe making food with their parents would encourage them to taste new foods, with 17% willing to try something different if their parents dressed up in a funny costume whilst serving it.
Some foods remain firmly on the no-go list however, as mushrooms are voted the top hated vegetable by kids, closely followed by Brussels sprouts, broccoli and avocado. Carrots, potatoes and sweetcorn top the list of the favourite vegetable options.
Sarah Almond Bushell, the child nutritionist whose tips can be found on the TUI BLUE App said: “Children change their eating habits when food is an enjoyable experience and helping them use all their senses is really important. Eating shouldn’t be a chore and repeatedly encouraging experimentation through discovery and play and involving kids in their food choices is the key to expanding picky palettes. The experiences that TUI BLUE has introduced do just that, allowing youngsters to innovate and create and bring families together to explore new tastes; a perfect recipe to help children on the road to becoming adventurous eaters.”
Sarah’s Adventurous Appetites hints and tips can be found via the TUI BLUE app. download the app on ios [https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/blue-app-holiday-planner/id1099144002] and android [https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.tui.tui_blue&hl=en&pli=1].
