Until just a few years ago, kids were kids and happy to eat chicken fingers, burgers, fries and other greasy foods slathered in ketchup and salt. With children now regularly eating out at restaurants, watching TV cooking shows with their parents and being exposed to new foods while traveling, the days of basic fare have gone.
Very young children still prefer traditional items, such as hot dogs, macaroni and cheese and fries, but they tend to become more adventurous as they get older, says Sara Monnette, director, consumer research, Technomic Inc. “Kids, in general, are more connected to the world than generations before; this has impacted their exploration of different cultures and foods.”