A recent poll conducted by the University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital revealed that most parents acknowledge the unhealthiness of the standard American diet for children. However, despite this recognition, a majority of parents make efforts to instill healthy eating habits in their kids. The poll surveyed over 1,000 parents of children aged 3 to 10 about their dietary choices. While 31% of parents believe the standard American diet is healthy, the majority recognize its high content of unhealthy components such as saturated fats, added sugars, and refined carbohydrates. Notably, 94% of parents reported actively promoting healthy eating by encouraging vegetable consumption. Sixty percent of parents serve greens regularly, while 41% involve children in vegetable selection or preparation. Furthermore, portion control and food limitation play significant roles in parental approaches. Most parents (69%) provide slightly smaller portions than adults, and 54% implement the rule of ‘trying some of everything.’ Limiting sugary drinks and processed foods is also common, with 59% and 54% of parents reporting these practices, respectively.
