The family way

Research suggests that two thirds of children always order the same thing in restaurants - behaviour unwittingly fuelled by their parents, as more than a third (37%) of mums and dads admit to 'habit eating' by ordering the same meal when dining out.

The research, by the Japanese restaurant chain YO! Sushi, found that the top five meal choices for primary school-age children are, unsurprisingly:

1. Chicken Nuggets & Chips

2. Pizza

3. Pasta

4. Fish & Chips

5. Burgers

But more than two thirds of parents admit they'd like their child to have a broader food repertoire and be more adventurous with what they eat.

Clinical psychologist Dr Gillian Harris of Birmingham University, an expert in food refusal in children, points out that children like chicken nuggets and chips because the meal tends to look the same every time, with a manageable texture, while pizza is often seen as a treat food.

"If something is slightly restricted or is deemed a grown-up food, kids are more likely to eat it," she says.

"Parents have a tendency to go out and order the same thing in restaurants. They need to be a bit braver, to set their children a good example, so it's more likely that they too will try something different."

However, even if parents do try to vary their own choices in restaurants, the research revealed that a quarter of them wouldn't let their children try a new dish when eating out if they were unsure their child would like it, with nearly half (45%) stating that they'd rather their kids chose something they'll definitely eat.

And this unwillingness to let children try new foods is reflected in many parents' lack of persistence when it comes to introducing different foods at home.

The survey revealed that if a child refuses a particular food, more than two thirds of parents would only sometimes try to introduce it again. Nearly half would only encourage a child to try a new food three to five times, and a third would just try once or twice before giving up.

Dr Harris, who helps run the Birmingham Food Refusal Service, says: "Clinical research has shown that it can take up to 10 tastes for a new food to be accepted by a child. I would recommend persevering with one or two foods at a time and remember that the second taste of a new food may be the hardest of all, as your child will have formed an opinion that they don't like the food."

She says that genetic factors play a part in some children's dislike of different tastes and food textures, explaining: "Mainly it's a sensory hypersensitivity which genetically predetermines children, although some will be more difficult than others.

"It can be overcome to some extent, although a lot of the texture problems can't."

But she warns: "If you threaten a child, stand in front of them and shout, or make them sit there until they eat their food, you'll just make it worse."

Dr Harris advises that the best way to get children to be adventurous with food is by getting them used to the sight and texture of different foods as early as possible - preferably within the first year of life. That way, they'll see foods as 'safe', and are more likely to eat them.

She says parents should give children what they want them to eat, rather than relying on jars of baby and toddler food, and stresses: "You've got to eat with the child - they should be watching you eat. And if you want them to try something they don't normally try, don't put a large plateful in front of them, but let them take it off your plate, let them taste it.

"You've got to keep going with it - just half a teaspoon at a time, and the child will get used to it."

Tips To Break Habit Eating

:: This will be a long-term project. Habits can be hard to break for both children and parents.

:: It can take around 10 tastes for a child to accept a new food, so don't give up on the first refusal.

:: Children will only eat new foods if they see the foods and see others eating them. So remember it's important for you to be adventurous too and try new dishes.

:: When eating out, let your child have some safe foods they like, and let them pick out small amounts of some new foods to try.

:: Offer new foods in small portions on a separate plate - this can be as a taster from your meal so you don't have to order a whole meal you aren't sure your child will eat.

:: Dr Harris and colleagues are running workshops around the country designed to help parents understand why their children refuse food. For more information, visit www.foodrefusal.co.uk

ASK THE EXPERT

Q: "I want to go back to work part-time and I need childcare for my six-month-old baby. What are the options, and what's the best way to choose?"

A: Ben Black, director at Nannyshare.co.uk, says: "When it comes to childcare, there are three fundamentals: you need something that's affordable, accessible and that you trust.

"The good news is that in the first couple of years (and at the risk of being strung up by the self-proclaimed experts), you don't need to worry too much about your child's development. The most important thing is what we call continuity of attachments - finding a loving, secure environment where the people your child interacts with won't change constantly.

"The three main options are childminder, nanny and nursery. Nurseries are the most popular option, providing highly-regulated safe environments. While most nurseries are pretty good these days, the regulator, Ofsted, is quite tough to please.

"When you look for a nursery, the most important thing is to ask how long the staff have been there. There are plenty of shiny bright nurseries with lots of temporary staff - that's no good. Much better an older premises with loyal, vocational staff. Visit and ask questions, and then check out reviews online if possible.

"Childminders are another option, and it's amazing that they don't have a bigger slug of the market. Find a good local childminder and it can represent the best of all worlds. There's loads of flexibility, and they tend to be cheaper than a nursery. It's finding them that's the problem - childminders are often very good at the childcare, just not very good at marketing themselves.

"Finally, a great nanny is the most flexible of the childcare options, but it's also the most expensive. This is why so many people use nanny shares these days. If you can find another family close by with similar age children and similar values then you can share a nanny, effectively halving the cost."

WINNERS FOR DINNER

Unbelievabowl

A bowl designed to stick to a child's highchair easily through suction, helping to prevent spills. £4.99, www.vitalbaby.co.uk

Babymoov Food Processor Nutribaby Zen

With a total cooking capacity of 1,500ml, the Nutribaby has five functions: it warms baby bottles and jars, sterilises, steams, defrosts and blends.£85.19, www.amazon.co.uk

You Have to F**king Eat by Adam Mansbach

You've slogged over a stove for hours to cook the kids' favourite dinner, but they still won't eat it. This funny book documents those frustrating children's mealtime moments - but don't read it to them! This one's strictly for adults. Published by Canongate, £9.95, www.prezzybox.com