Limit Food Colours To Appeal To Picky Eaters

Picky eaters can be tough to deal with regardless of their age. New research from Cornell University suggests that using a specific number of colours in a dish might help boost appetite in fussy eaters.Photo by Kathy Maister.

Researchers found that children tend to prefer plates with seven different food items and six different colours. Picky adults, on the other hand, prefer three colours and the same amount of items. Using this theory, meals can be planned to appeal directly to our sense of sight, rather than taste or smell.

For instance, if you already have green leaves on a plate with meat and potatoes, toss in a zucchini instead of a tomato. By simplifying the visual appeal of a plate, it makes new foods less intimidating. If you have picky children, throw on as many different colours as possible. It won’t compensate for a bad-tasting meal, but it might help picky adults and children feel more comfortable trying new foods.

Colorful Plates Boost a Picky Eater’s Appetite [ScienceDaily]