A new study by researchers at Humboldt University in Germany shows that fairy tales about giant beanstalks and pumpkin carriages can actually have an impact on children’s food preferences. Researchers read a story to preschoolers about children who save their town with the help of magic fruits and vegetables. When offered a choice of snack 20 minutes after the story, the preschools were significantly more likely to choose the healthy fruits and vegetables instead of the sweets. With diet-related diseases like diabetes and obesity plaguing children around the world, this study shows that fairy tales can encourage kids to turn to healthier alternatives. Creating healthy habits in childhood leads to a lower risk of developing health issues later in life, and turning to unconventional methods such as reading fairy tales featuring healthy foods may be the solution to creating positive eating behavior in kids.
Image via Family in Tale
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