A whopping 3,273 parents fessed up to what they're feeding kids ages 4 and under for the second Nestlé Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study 2008 (FITS). While it's still not easy being green, the state of tot diets is not as bad as many think!
Our Kids Still Eat Too Many Fries
The first FITS, in 2002, revealed that the number one veggie kids ate was fries (seriously-they're made from potatoes). Now mashed potatoes top the list for babies, but after 12 months, fries dominate up to age 3. Okay, we know they're delicious, and we love them, too, but can we all agree that they just don't count as a vegetable?
We're Trying Our Best to Get Them to Eat Green Beans
Thirty percent of the preschool set don't eat a single vegetable on a given day. While the researchers said this was an "area that needs improvement," we were impressed that the other 70 percent actually are eating veggies. If you're offering vegetables daily, and you're getting a taker seven out of ten of those days, high five!
We're Breastfeeding Longer
Thirty-three percent of moms today are still nursing at 9 to 11 months, up from only 21 percent seen in the 2002 FITS. Less impressive, however, is that 17 percent of babies are being given cow's milk before age 1, which puts them at risk for anemia. Stick with breast milk (and an iron supplement) or formula for the full first year.
Tots Are Snacking On Fewer Sweets
Less than 40 percent of infants under age 1 devour a dessert or other sweet on any given day. And treat consumption is down by 15 to 20 percent from 2002 in kids overall. Considering the ubiquity of animal crackers and ice cream, we find these figures to be downright miraculous. So keep up the good work, Mom!
