ids prefer sweet foods and hate foods that taste bitter to them.
Interestingly, there are actually variable genetic components to this. Some of us "taste" the bitter compounds in veggies more (and it varies--there is more than one such compound). If your child seems to blanch at veggies, there is research to suggest that kids who are genetically sensitive to these compounds will accept bitter veggies more easily if they are served with masking dips high in salt. Really! Actual research. I just read it for work and am passing this interesting tidbit along. BTW, kids who are NOT sensitive to these compounds do NOT eat more veggies if they are served with dip!
Also, these tendencies are reduced with repeated exposure--in other words, we can overcome them. Other interesting findings: kids will eat more veggies if they are served with water and if the size of the main course serving is smaller.
