Preschoolers eat more fruits and vegetables, total fewer calories in their meals when they're fed smaller portions of main dish at lunchtime, study shows

Nevin Barich

LOS ANGELES , January 17, 2012 (Industry Intelligence) – According to a new study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, preschoolers eat more fruits and vegetables and total fewer calories in their meals when they’re fed small portions of the main dish at lunchtime, Reuters reported Jan. 16.

Researchers at a Pennsylvania preschool served 17 kids six different variations of the same meal one day each week for lunch. The meals featured anywhere from less than half a cup to more than a cup and a half of macaroni and cheese as the main dish. The meals also featured green beans, unsweetened applesauce, a whole grain roll and milk.

The study found that when the entrée size was bigger, kids ate more of the main dish and less of the healthy side dishes. But when they were served the smallest entrée, kids ate almost half of their healthy side dishes, compared to only 25% when they were served the biggest main dishes.

The primary source of this article is Reuters, London, England, on Jan. 16, 2012.

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