Young Kids Seem Indifferent To Portion Sizes, Calorie Densities, When Eating

It is widely believed that children self-regulate food intake, but a new study takes issue with that belief: kids will eat a lot of calorie-rich foods if that’s what they’re served. The researchers tested 120 children (ages three to five) who ate lunch in three separate daycare centers for six weeks. They ate meals of different size and calorie densities, including chicken, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, applesauce, ketchup, and milk. They liked the lower-calorie and higher-calorie meals similarly. They also ate smaller portions of food as easily as larger portions. The good news from the study is that parents and caregivers can serve more healthful lower-calorie foods, and smaller portions, “and kids seem to be just as satisfied.”