A cartoon that helps kids eat healthier

Popeye cartoons, tasting parties and junior cooking classes can help increase vegetable intake in kindergarten children, according to new research published in the journal Nutrition & Dietetics. Researchers found the type and amount of vegetables children ate improved after they took part in a program using multimedia and role models to promote healthy food. The children planted vegetable seeds, took part in fruit and vegetable tasting parties, cooked vegetable soup, and watched Popeye cartoons. Researchers also sent letters to parents with tips on encouraging their kids to eat fruit and vegetables, and teachers sat with children at lunch to role model healthy eating.

Vegetable intake doubled and the types of vegetables the children consumed increased from two to four. Parents also reported their children talked about vegetables more often and were proud they had eaten them in their school lunch. She said there was no significant change in the kinds of fruit eaten by the children, but this was probably because they were already eating more fruit than vegetables at the start of the study.

Bonnie - Popeye became invincible when he ate his spinach. Many of us who grew up watching Popeye cartoons have this indelibly imprinted in our minds, just as the last few generations have fast food and junk food indelibly imprinted in their minds. Things could change if the vegetable and fruit growers associations had enough of a marketing budget to advertise on television!