On Eat Your Vegetables Day, experts sound the alarm: half of Italian children refuse to eat vegetables, risking the health of the whole family
A green problem that starts at home
June 17 marks Eat Your Vegetables Day, a day born in the US and now a global call to reflect on a pressing issue for Italy: the lack of vegetables in children’s diets. According to the Nestlé Observatory, nearly one in two children (46.4%) in Italy refuses to eat vegetables and legumes.
Worse still, kids today heavily influence what the entire family eats. If they don’t want an ingredient, it often disappears from everyone’s plate. This triggers a vicious cycle that impoverishes family diets and increases the long-term risk of chronic diseases.
Vegetables and healthy aging
A recent study published in Nature Medicine followed over 100,000 people for 30 years. The result? Only 10% of them reached age 70 in a condition defined as “healthy aging”. Their secret? A varied and balanced diet—including a consistent intake of vegetables.
Even the heart benefits: a study in the American Journal of Medicine found that people with hypertension and chronic kidney disease improved cardiovascular health when eating 2 to 4 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
Why do children reject vegetables?
The Nestlé Observatory reveals that children also reject other essential foods like fish, grains, meat, and fruit. And they have a major say in what ends up in the shopping cart: in 6 out of 10 families, kids accompany parents (mostly mothers) to the store and guide the food choices.
“Lack of variety weakens the whole family’s nutrition,” warns Professor Laura De Gara from Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome. “Teaching children to enjoy vegetables is an educational duty and a social responsibility.”
10 smart tips to get kids to love vegetables
From the Nutripiatto project, here’s a practical guide:
- Variety is key: Choose vegetables of different colors—more colors mean more nutrients and antioxidants.
- Let kids help in the kitchen: They’re more curious about what they prepare.
- Avoid pressure: Introduce veggies gradually and gently.
- Try new recipes: Keep it interesting—avoid food boredom.
- Not just side dishes: Add veggies to pasta, sandwiches, and snacks.
- Family-style dining: Share large plates from which everyone serves themselves.
- Tell stories: Talk about vegetables in a fun and educational way.
- Get creative: Cut veggies into stars and flowers.
- Keep meals balanced: Veggies are essential but must be part of a complete diet.
- Make it joyful: Mealtime should be a positive experience.
Final thoughts
Vegetables aren’t optional. They’re pillars of growth, health, and future prevention. Teaching children to enjoy them is an investment in our well-being and theirs.
How do you get your kids to eat vegetables? Let us know in the comments!
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