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Research from Future Consumer Lab wanted to know whether children prefer their food served in a particular way and whether their gender and age make a difference with regard to their preferences. Children can eat more fruits and vegetables by presenting them in small portions and making them freely available in good visual presentation.
The researchers asked 100 schoolchildren, aged 7-8 and 12-14 years, to make a priority list of photos of six different dishes served in three different ways: With the elements of the food presented separately so they did not touch each other, as a mix of separate ingredients and ingredients that were mixed together and with all the food mixed together.
From the children’s prioritisation of the displayed photos, the researchers could see which presentation of the food they liked best and which serving style they least cared for. The study shows that the younger girls (aged 7-8) prefer the separate serving style, while boys of the same age do not have a preference for how the food is arranged.
The research also shows that children between 12 and 14 prefer food to be either mixed together or served as a mix of separate and mixed-together ingredients. The research does not say why younger girls prefer to have their food served as separate ingredients.
Children can mix the food when the various elements of the food are separated on the plate. The research can be used to optimise meal programmes in schools and meals that are delivered to pupils by external suppliers.