Children who eat school dinners are more likely to try new foods compared to those who bring packed lunches, a new study suggests. Research led by the University of Bristol has found that school meals could help 13-year-olds with picky eating habits expand their diet. The findings were published today (15 May) in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
The study observed that picky eaters who chose their own food at school were less selective than when eating packed lunches from home. This is the first research to examine picky eating during school lunchtimes, away from family influence.
Researchers found that picky children often avoided meat, fish, fruit, and salad in packed lunches. Instead, they preferred fillings like marmite, peanut butter, or cheese spread. However, when eating school dinners, these same children were more open to eating meat, fish, and fruit. Their food choices became more similar to those of their non-picky peers.
The study analyzed data from over 5,300 children who are part of the Children of the 90s longitudinal study. The research team tracked eating habits from preschool age through to 13 years old to see how picky eating changed over time.
Among the children, about half ate packed lunches most days. Over a quarter ate school dinners regularly, while around a third had school dinners occasionally. Interestingly, one in four children admitted to sometimes skipping lunch entirely. There was no major difference between picky and non-picky eaters in terms of how often they had school dinners or packed lunches.
Picky eating usually peaks around the age of three, but some children continue these habits into their teenage years. The study suggests that school dinners may help these children try new foods and improve their overall diet.
Although it is well known that picky eaters consume fewer fruits and vegetables, the research highlighted a broader issue: almost all children are not eating enough vegetables. Vegetables are essential for providing fibre, vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients support healthy development and help prevent long-term health problems.
Dr Caroline Taylor, lead researcher and Associate Professor in Nutrition at the University of Bristol, said: “Every child is different, and what works for some won’t work for others. We found that school dinners could be a good way to increase variety in picky teens’ diets.”
She added: “There are many ways parents can encourage a healthy diet. Family meals, setting a good example, and involving children in cooking all help. Most picky children eat enough food, but they often miss out on a balanced range of nutrients. It is vital to encourage all children to eat more fruits and vegetables, whether at home or at school.”
The research team now plans to use data from the Children of the 90s study to explore how picky eating in adulthood affects health.
This research was conducted at the Centre for Academic Child Health, part of Bristol Medical School. It used data from the Children of the 90s study, which began by recruiting over 14,500 pregnant women from the Bristol area between 1991 and 1992. The study has followed these women, their partners, and their children ever since.
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