New research has revealed the most loved meals by children – with the Italian classic topping the list
Pizza has been voted the favourite meal of nearly half of kids, according to a study into 1,000 parents of six-to-16 year olds as research shows 44% named the Italian classic as their youngster’s top choice.
However, the number choosing burger and chips, which came second on the list, drops significantly to 28%, along with chicken nuggets (28%) and then fish and chips (26%). Other favourites in the top 20 included curry, fajita wraps, frankfurter hot dogs, and cheese on toast.
Gemma Serdet, from frankfurter brand Herta, which commissioned the research and created a ‘dinner spinner’ to give parents meal suggestions, said: “There’s always going to be a dish that is a hit, and your little one will be happy to have it no matter what.”
“Our research shows how many classic meals are popular among children, but it can often make it hard to mix things up. It can also be a challenge when you have multiple members of the family to please and you’ve got to become inventive to find something everyone enjoys.”
Interestingly, the study discovered that 78% of mums and dads enjoy cooking for their offspring, even more so when they know it’s their favourite dish (41%) and especially when it’s a quick and easy meal to make (37%).
Four in ten find themselves frequently serving up the same dish multiple times a week as a third of parents claim it’s easier to serve the same meals repeatedly because it’s less wasteful as they know it will be eaten.
However, 71% have their child refuse a meal nearly every week, with one in ten experiencing this on four or more occasions over that period. Consequently, 78% end up cooking double dinners to appease everyone in the family, an average of three times-a-week.
It also revealed 55% would describe their child as a ‘fussy eater’, resulting in 43% struggling to find snacks and meals when on the go with their child. While 41% find it difficult to get their youngsters to eat their five-a-day, and 24% have trouble getting their child to consume protein rich foods.
Almost half (48%) stress the importance of not wasting food in their home due to the cost of living. With 21% opting for cheaper ingredients to avoid feeling like money is being squandered if their child turns their nose up at a dish.
Gemma Serdet added: “For many families, mealtimes are one of the only times when everyone comes together and shares their news from the day.”
“That’s why we want to help parents find fun and simple ways to make tasty dishes that are well received by the whole family, as well as coming up with creative ways to take popular dishes and make them a little more exciting.”
CHILDREN’S TOP 20 FAVOURITE MEALS, ACCORDING TO THEIR PARENTS:
- Pizza (44%)
- Burger and chips (28%)
- Chicken nuggets and chips (28%)
- Fish and chips (26%)
- Spaghetti Bolognese (24%)
- Roast dinner (24%)
- Mac and cheese (19%)
- Fish fingers and chips (16%)
- Sausage and chips (15%)
- Spaghetti and meatballs (15%)
- Sausage and mashed potato (14%)
- Hot dog with a frankfurter sausage (14%)
- Curry (13%)
- Fajita wraps (13%)
- Lasagne (12%)
- Jacket potato with baked beans and cheese (10%)
- Chicken pasta bake (10%)
- Cheese on toast (10%)
- Pesto pasta (9%)
- Beef stew (8%)
