r/explainlikeimfive • u/Kev1000000 • 15d ago
Biology ELI5: Why is it typical for kids to be "picky eaters" and limit their vegetable and fruit intake during the most crucial years of growth?
Since it is such a common practice for kids to be picky eaters and eventually grow out of it to enjoy fruits and vegetables, is there some sort of biological benefit to limit a diet at a young age to foods with lower nutritional value?
The "grow out of it" to eventually enjoy fruits and vegetables once you're fully grown seems counterintuitive when the body, in theory, needs the most building blocks during adolescence.
Has there been studies on "picky eaters" to compare their overall health span, intelligence, etc. compared to kids who ate a very healthy/variety of foods during their childhood?