Boom in Convenience Foods for Toddlers as Mum and Dad Prefer a Curry
One in three UK toddlers are most frequently fed ready-made toddler foods at mealtimes according to a new survey by Bounty and Hipp Organic. Over 10,000 parents took part in the survey which indicates that more and more parents are opting for ready made, but more importantly, healthy foods for their growing babies.
73% of respondents with toddlers aged 10-14 months stated that their main reason for buying ready made toddler foods was that family meals are sometimes unsuitable.
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"The days of having meat and two veg every night are gone and our fondness for spicy and exotic foods, means that our toddlers can no longer join in at family mealtimes. Increasingly parents are buying ready made toddler foods instead which are made with the right nutritional content; and some with organic ingredients. It means parents can choose convenience without compromising on nutrition, quality or taste".
71% of parents said that having the right nutritional value was the main reason they purchase toddler meals and over half do so because the ingredients are organic.
A spokesperson at Hipp said
"The marketplace is booming and sales of meals specially for toddlers aged over 10 months have risen by 42% in the past 2 years". Microwaveable ready meals for toddlers now account for a quarter of all toddler foods sold. Half of all survey respondents stated that they had bought a toddler meal within the last month.
Parents are also becoming more conscientious when it comes to which finger foods to give their toddlers.
When asked which snack food is given most frequently,
-19% give their toddler rice cakes
-12% give raisins
-10% choose breadsticks.
However, shockingly,
-31% have given their toddler crisps in the last month - which contain fat and salt levels well over the recommended levels for toddlers!
"Parents should opt for organic fruits and vegetables as healthy finger foods for their toddlers to get them into healthy eating habits as they grow older."
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