While young children still like the traditional pizzas, pasta, chips and sausages nearly one in five selected curry as their favourite food – making it their number one choice.
Other spicy dishes to make the ‘yummy’ list were sweet & sour chicken and spicy chicken – reflecting toddlers growing taste sophistication and love of flavour.

Over 1,500 pre-school children, aged between three and five, completed the survey, which was carried out by Asquith Nurseries, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of childcare.

What also emerged from the survey were a number of foods that provoked strong responses in favour and against. When asked to list their favourite vegetable 34% picked carrots, 18% picked broccoli and another 17% chose peas. Yet these three vegetables also featured at the top of the yukky vegetable list – toddlers either love them or hate them!

The toddlers were asked about desserts. The traditional rice pud suffered badly with a big thumbs down by 36% of kids. Ice cream came tops as favourite with over 31% and custard came second (19%).
The survey also proved that toddlers preferred tap water (18%) to fizzy drinks (3%) – although quite a few admitted to beer being their favourite drink! But by far the most popular drink of choice was orange juice (24%).
Inevitably any survey involving kids is going to get some funny answers. Amongst the many, Rutendo (3) decided that ‘hedgehogs’ were her least favourite fruit, and Thomas (3) from Bolton has clearly been influenced by ‘I’m a celebrity get me out of here’ as he doesn’t like eating spiders! Daniel (3) from Twickenham has apparently taken up cannibalism – when asked to name his favourite food he answered, “My Daddy”.
The survey was conducted as part of Asquith’s ongoing work to re-develop their healthy eating menus for the 9,500 children in their care.
In addition to the survey, Asquith have joined forces with Annabel Karmel, the country’s best-selling children’s cookery author, who is working with them to develop these adventurous and nutritious recipes.
New menus based on this work are being introduced by Asquith from the middle of September and reflect the survey feedback by offering the children exciting and different choices such as chicken caesar salad, mousakka, hidden vegetable tomato sauce with pasta and cod & salmon pie.

Commenting on the survey Annabel Karmel said, “This Asquith research highlights the fact that children, even very young children, are much more sophisticated about their food than grown-ups often give them credit for. Whilst young children will always like foods such as pizza, chips and sausages it’s up to us to ensure that healthy options are given preference and presented in ways that appeal. When children are introduced to spicy, flavoursome foods they invariably love it.”

Olive Glass, Asquith’s Marketing Director, added, “Ensuring our children get the right nutrition is important to us which is why we have always used quality fresh ingredients in our kitchens. For us the survey reinforced our belief that healthy doesn’t have to be dull. That is why we are so excited about the introduction of our new menus. The feedback from our trial menus has been very positive so far.”

Founded in 1989 Asquith owns 108 nurseries nationwide and cares for over 9,500 children between the ages of three months and five years. The group is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of high quality childcare and pre-school education.

TOP 10 FAVOURITE VEGGIES

1. Carrots 35%

2. Broccoli 18%

3. Peas 17%

4. Sweetcorn 14%

5. Potato 10%

6. Cauliflower 2%

7. Cucumber 2%

8. Cabbage 1%

9. Tomato 1%

10. Peppers 0%

Least Favourite Veggies: Peas 20%, Carrots 19%, Broccoli 18%, Sweetcorn 9%, Cabbage 9%, Cauliflower 8%, Peppers 4%, Onions 4%, Potato 4%, Tomato 3%.

TOP 10 FAVOURITE FRUITS

1. Apple 32%

2. Banana 19%

3. Orange 14%

4. Grape 11%

5. Strawberry 10%

6. Pear 8%

7. Melon 4%

8. Pineapple 1%

9. Cherries 1%

10. Raisin 1%

Least Favourite Fruits: Orange 24%, Pear 19%, Banana 19%, Apple 12%, Melon 8%, Strawberry 5%, Pineapple 5%, Plum 3%, Grape 3%, Lemon 1%.

TOP 10 FAVOURITE PUDDINGS

1. Ice Cream 31%

2. Custard 19%

3. Yoghurt 11%

4. Cake 10%

5. Rice Pudding 8%

6. Jelly 7%

7. Chocolate Cake 6%

8. Chocolate 3%

9. Banana 3%

10. Chocolate Pudding 2%

Least Favourite Puddings: Rice Pudding 36%, Custard 22%, Fruit Salad 11%, Apple Crumble 9%, Cake 5%, Tapioca 4%, Ice Cream 4%, Banana & Custard 3% Yoghurt 3%, Apple Pie 3%.

TOP 10 FAVOURITE FOODS

1. Curry 20%

2. Pasta 17%

3. Sausages 14%

4. Chips 9%

5. Spaghetti Bolognese 9%

6. Pizza 9%

7. Spicy Chicken 8%

8. Potatoes 6%

9. Sweet & Sour Chicken 5%

10. Fruit 3%

TOP 10 FAVOURITE SPICY FOODS

1. Curry 39%

2. Spaghetti Bolognese 32%

3. Lasagne 16%

4. Chilli 3%

5. Spicy Chicken 2%

6. Chinese 2%

7. Chicken Curry 2%

8. Sweet & Sour Chicken 2%

9. Meatballs 1%

10. Pizza 1%

TOP 10 FAVOURITE DRINKS

1. Orange Juice 20%

2. Water 18%

3. Apple Juice 15%

4. Milk 11%

5. Blackcurrant Juice 10%

6. Juice 8%

7. Lemonade 5%

8. Ribena 4%

9. Coke 3%

10. Milkshakes 3%