Six in 10 parents these days confess to avoiding travelling routes with junk food advertisements and outlets to avoid the inevitable battle with their kids over eating habits.
A new survey by Zespri Kiwifruit has revealed half (51%) of Australian parents – the equivalent to 1.7 million parents or guardians of children aged 5-12 – have disagreements with their child about junk food, which has unfortunately led to tension between them.
Additionally, nearly half (47%) of parents also say they find it difficult to manage or influence their child’s eating habits and the majority (95%) have taken steps to limit their child’s junk food exposure.
To help parents in the healthy eating battle, Zespri Kiwifruit has announced its ‘Healthier Ways’ initiative, which allows Aussies to prioritise healthy eating by helping reduce fast food exposure while in transit. Healthier Ways is a map tool that helps parents plan trips to reduce exposure to fast food and redirects them via other ways with less exposure.
Australian nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill says: "It’s no surprise that the majority of Aussie parents are worried about the junk food their kids are exposed to out of the home. Motivating kids to eat healthy is hard enough as it is without so many external factors at play.”
Pester power impact on parents takes a toll:
Parents are feeling influenced to give in according to the survey results, with nearly nine in 10 parents (87%) saying they have felt pressured to give in to their child’s junk food request.
Nearly six in 10 (56%) parents ranked seeing junk food advertisements and/or travelling past junk food outlets as one of the top three most common situations where they experience pester power.
Jacqueline says: "Children have a natural talent for influencing their parents, especially when it comes to food. The allure of colour and fun can make it challenging for parents to stick to healthier choices. It’s important to remember that many parents face this struggle; the goal is to find a balance. Parents often find themselves navigating a tough landscape when it comes to food choices, and by focusing on open conversations about nutrition and involving kids in meal planning, families can create a healthier environment without feeling pressured.”
Rising tensions in the home:
Parents are seeing the impact of fast food on their child’s behaviour, with the research finding three in 10 (29%) parents say their child feels frustrated or upset when they refuse to purchase junk food and one in five (20%) say their child’s behaviour is immediately altered by certain junk foods.
Additional stats from the research:
• More than seven in every 10 parents (72%) say they are worried about their child opting for junk food over fresh and healthy options.
• Nearly two-thirds of parents (64%) find it challenging to come up with healthy meals or snack ideas when they are tired and time poor.
• Nearly four in five (78%) parents say their child understands that healthy food options can be fun, flavourful and exciting.
• More than one in three (35%) parents say they keep junk food out of sight at home while one in five (19%) limit invitations to parties or gatherings that heavily feature junk food to limit their child's exposure to junk food.
Healthier (ways) food options are available:
While nearly two-thirds (64%) of Aussie parents say they find it challenging to come up with healthy meals or snack ideas when they are tired and time poor, Jacqueline advises that keeping it simple and uncomplicated can be the best route for encouraging healthier eating habits in kids.
"Adding nutrient packed fruit and vegetables into your kids’ diet may be harder than it sounds but it really does pay off in the long run with persistence. For example, fruit like sweet and juicy SunGold Kiwifruit is a simple and delicious way to obtain 100% of kids’ daily vitamin C needs, keeping them both happy and healthy,” says Jacqueline.
We have three great recipes for you to beat the junk food battle:
These delicious, quick and easy tacos are topped with kiwifruit, tomato and green shallot salsa - If the kids aren’t fans of coriander, simply leave it out of the salsa and serve it on the side for the adults to sprinkle on as desired.
Zespri SunGold kiwifruit will also pair perfectly with berries, apple, pineapple and orange. So feel free to get creative with your kiwifruit fruit salad combo. This recipe uses vegan waffle cones and dairy-free coconut yoghurt so it won’t upset little tummies.
Going on a picnic? These little muffins can be easily transported in the muffin tin they were baked in, or in a large air-tight container.
