Table 4 Examples of answers to the open-ended question: Why does your child ‘never’ eat this vegetable?
Tomato | “because he does not want to try it” |
|---|---|
Lettuce | “he says he cannot swallow it”, “it has no taste”, “because it is green”, “he has not developed a taste for it”, “because of its colour and texture” |
Carrot | “It is not something we usually consume”, “I don’t often offer it to him because I don’t like it”, “only camouflaged with pumpkin” |
Beetroot | “because of its taste”, “because of its strong taste”, “the colour makes him reject it”, “the family does not eat it” |
Eggplant | “we do not usually eat it”, “I know only a few preparations that include it”, “because it is bitter”, “only in ‘milanesas’”, “its taste is a little spicy” |
Zucchini | “he does not accept green vegetables”, “he cannot find its taste”, “camouflaged, sometimes”, “we do not eat it” |
Onion | “because of its strong smell”, “because of its taste”, “only in recipes”, “we do not eat it”, “if he sees it, he does not eat it” |
Cucumber | “because of its appearance”, “it is not included in family meals”, “we do not eat it”, “because of lack of habit” |
Spinach | “he does not like green ones”, “we do not usually eat it at home” |
Chard | “I do not buy it because it produces gas and it’s bitter”, “we do not usually eat it”, “we do not like its taste”, “just camouflaged as an ingredient in recipes” |
Pepper | “strong taste”, “bitterness”, “only in recipes”, “he eats it by obligation” |
Cabbage | “we do not eat it”, “very different taste”, “someone in the family does not like it”, “because it’s green” |
Broccoli | “it’s not included in the diet”, “because of its taste”, “my daughter used to eat it frequently until she got tired of it”, “he does not like it” |
Green beans | “because of its taste”, “we do not eat it”, “because of its appearance”, “he has not adapted to it yet”, “it is green” |
Peas | “I do not buy canned food” |
Corn | “because it is sweet”, “only in recipes” |
Cauliflower | “we do not eat it”, “he dislikes its smell and taste”, “I do not know how to prepare it”, “he does not like its taste or its smell” |