It’s a familiar struggle for millions of parents: You serve a nutritious dinner full of fresh vegetables, but the kids push it away and demand frozen chicken nuggets instead.
The beloved processed food is adored by children and adults alike, with Americans eating 2.3 billion servings of chicken nuggets every year.
The obsession with children’s nuggets became apparent in early November, when Tyson Foods recalled approximately 30,000 pounds of dino-shaped chicken “Fun Nuggets” due to traces of metal found in the patties.
Parents on social media panicked, worrying about how their children would cope without their favorite battered treat.
It has long been thought that the sky-high sugar, salt and fat content in nuggets makes them irresistible to young taste buds. However, dietitians now say that this is not the case.
Both children and adults love chicken nuggets, with Americans eating 2.3 billion servings of the food every year
Ali Bandier, a registered dietitian and founder of Senta Health, said the biggest factor is their bland taste.
“Chicken nuggets do not have a strong flavor profile and can often be considered bland,” she said Yahoo lifestyle.
‘Bland foods such as chicken nuggets, pasta and bread often appeal to children who are sensory sensitive, hesitant or picky.’
Diana Rice, a registered dietitian from Oklahoma, added that nuggets are “easier to chew than other protein sources,” such as a tough steak or chicken breast.
This is important for children, who still do not understand how food works.
Kids may be cautious with more complex, multi-faceted meals, but they can “navigate” nuggets, Rice told Yahoo Life.
And nuggets are familiar to children.
“Kids are used to (nuggets) because we start serving them so young.”
Ms Bandier added: ‘Children are more accepting of the foods that are most often offered to them.
‘Chicken nuggets are usually offered much more often than, for example, meatballs. Repeatedly exposing chicken nuggets makes them feel safe for children.’
Some children may only eat one specific brand of nuggets, due to “sensory loyalty”, Ms Rice said.
“In children, there’s a bit of neophobia (the fear of something new): what’s going to happen if I try this new thing and it’s an experience in my mouth that I don’t enjoy?”
Chicken nuggets, on the other hand, are ‘predictable’.
The experts say parents shouldn’t feel guilty about turning on the freezer on busy days. Ms. Bandier even says that in nugget form chicken, can make children feel full and satisfied and is a good source of protein.
She adds that air frying nuggets or looking for fried options with lean chicken meat may be healthier choices worth considering.