Want your kids/grandkids to go for the leafy greens and whole grains? Then show them by filling your grocery cart with these health foods!

A new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine¹ found that children as young as 2 years old form eating preferences based on their parents' food choices. In the study, 120 children (ages 2 to 6) were asked to select foods from a miniature grocery store, which included a variety of foods and beverages classified as: least healthy, somewhat healthy, and mostly healthy. The study also asked the childrens' parents about how often they purchased the specific foods in the store.

What did they find?

• 70.8% of the children purchased foods that were categorized as least healthy choices.
• Only 10.8% of the children had shopping baskets consisting of the healthiest choices!
• On average, children in the group with the least healthy choices purchased the same number of healthier and less healthy products, whereas children in the group with the most healthy choices purchased 5 healthier products for each less healthy product selected.
• The healthfulness of the children's total purchases were significantly predicted by their parents' purchasing categorization.

The researchers concluded that, "children begin to mimic their parents' food choices at a very young age, even before they are able to fully appreciate the implications of these choices." Thus, taking children to the grocery store and showing them that the family buys healthy foods can instill healthy food purchasing habits for children of all ages.

What do you think? Are you able to survive the aisles when you have your little ones along? If so, how can/do you teach your kids about healthy eating while at the grocery store? 

¹ Sutherland, L.A. (2008).Like parent, like child: Child food and beverage choices during role play. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 162(11), 1063-1069.