X
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
theAsianparent Philippines Logo
EnglishFilipino
Product GuideSign in
  • Building a BakuNation
  • Becoming a Parent
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy
    • Delivery
    • Losing a Baby
    • Project Sidekicks
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler Years
    • Preschool Age
    • Kids
    • Preteen & Teen
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • News
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Health & Wellness
    • Diseases & Injuries
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Preschool
    • K-12
    • Special Education Needs
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Celebrities
    • Contests & Promotions
    • Home
    • Travel and Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Fitness
    • Wellness
    • Money
  • Become a VIP
  • COVID-19
  • Press Room
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023

Why are low-income parents raising picky eaters?

4 min read
Why are low-income parents raising picky eaters?

A new study shows how low-income parents have no choice but to make unhealthy food choices for their kids

Families who have strictly tight budgets can’t really afford to throw out multiple servings of uneaten food. So, they tend to purchase food that they’re certain their kids will actually eat.

According to research, kids need to be exposed to new foods up to eight to 15 times before they are able to accept it, let alone eat and eventually enjoy it.

Sadly, what kids are fond of eating are foods packed with little to no nutrients and high caloric content such as chicken nuggets and pizza.

The Journal of Social Science and Medicine recently published a study on the connection of picky eating habits in kids to the economic restraints of their parents.

The author of the study, Caitlin Daniel, a sociologist from Harvard, noted how many low-income families (who took part in the study), purchased foods they know their children will eat. Why? This minimizes the risk of food wastage.

This study may also enlighten many families as to why obesity rates are soaring more in low-income households when most assume that scarcity of food is an issue.

The fear of food wastage determines dietary choices

Daniel initially set out to study various food choices but she was surprised to find that fear of wasting food was the chief concern.

“When parents assess whether a food is affordable or unaffordable, they’re thinking about whether their kid will actually eat it,” she told The Star.

Though these parents know they’re making unhealthy choices, they find themselves left with no choice but to choose foods their kids will actually eat.

High-income families make healthier choices

Parents who don’t have to deal with economic constraints, however, were found to be more willing to try introducing nutritious foods to their kids.

This doesn’t mean that they encounter no objections from their kids. But they are more open to risking the food going to waste because their economic status allows them this freedom.

Health should not be a luxury

A healthy diet and lifestyle is not only an option for the privileged few.

Kids need to learn at an early age to have a “good relationship with food a sense of safety in it in order to want to eat it”, as Daniel puts it.

“Poor people get to have preferences, too,” she affirms. “Maybe you could argue that that’s a luxury they can’t afford, but because eating is such an act of letting the outside world into us, it shouldn’t be surprising that people wouldn’t have preferences if not totally pressed by starvation.”

Developing their palate outside the home

She believes it’s unreasonable to assume that parents would be willing to risk food choices just to develop their children’ s palate.

A more concrete way to accomplish this, Daniel believes, is for communities to prioritize shared food programs in schools, churches, and other extracurricular activities such as summer camps and sports clinics.

This gives the child the freedom to experiment and discover what they actually enjoy eating in a safe environment where they feel a sense of belongingness outside their home.

Experiencing the various healthy options not readily available in their homes will save their parents from having to waste food in the future.

Partner Stories
Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
Sabaw recipe: 7 Pinoy comfort food for the family during rainy days
Bored sa Merienda? Here are Some Fluffylicious Snacks to Create at Home!
Bored sa Merienda? Here are Some Fluffylicious Snacks to Create at Home!
These 5 Easy Holiday Recipes Will Make the Christmas Filling At Home Extra Special
These 5 Easy Holiday Recipes Will Make the Christmas Filling At Home Extra Special
SEE, TASTE AND LOVE THE NEWEST DAIRY-FREE MILK IN THE METRO
SEE, TASTE AND LOVE THE NEWEST DAIRY-FREE MILK IN THE METRO

Once they find a healthy food they actually like, the next time the family shops for groceries the children’s themselves can make healthier choices.

READ: 10 Sneaky ways to get toddlers to eat more vegetables

If you have any insights, questions or comments regarding the topic, please share them in our Comment box below. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Google+ to stay up-to-date on the latest from theAsianparent.com Philippines!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Bianchi Mendoza

Become a Contributor

  • Home
  • /
  • Meal Planner
  • /
  • Why are low-income parents raising picky eaters?
Share:
  • Quick and Easy Meals for Kids: Breakfast menu

    Quick and Easy Meals for Kids: Breakfast menu

  • Night weaning: How to stop nursing your toddler at night

    Night weaning: How to stop nursing your toddler at night

  • Pinoy ulam list that you can cook for your family

    Pinoy ulam list that you can cook for your family

  • Quick and Easy Meals for Kids: Breakfast menu

    Quick and Easy Meals for Kids: Breakfast menu

  • Night weaning: How to stop nursing your toddler at night

    Night weaning: How to stop nursing your toddler at night

  • Pinoy ulam list that you can cook for your family

    Pinoy ulam list that you can cook for your family

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Baby Names
    • Delivery
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Advice for Parenting Kids
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Lifestyle Section
    • Local celebs
    • Celebrities
    • Money
    • News
  • FAMILY & HOME
    • Couples
    • Weekend & Holiday Guide
    • Health
  • Building a BakuNation
    • More
      • TAP Community
      • Advertise With Us
      • Contact Us
      • Become a Contributor


    • Singapore flag Singapore
    • Thailand flag Thailand
    • Indonesia flag Indonesia
    • Philippines flag Philippines
    • Malaysia flag Malaysia
    • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
    • India flag India
    • Vietnam flag Vietnam
    • Australia flag Australia
    • Japan flag Japan
    • Nigeria flag Nigeria
    • Kenya flag Kenya
    © Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
    About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
    • Tools
    • Articles
    • Feed
    • Poll

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

    theAsianparent heart icon
    Nais naming magpadala ng notification sa'yo tungkol sa latest news at update sa pag-aalaga ng baby at kanilang kalusugan.