Table 3 Preferred and disliked food groups together with the top 3 of most often mentioned attribute categories based on the children's reasons for liking and disliking
From: Cognitive development and children's perceptions of fruit and vegetables; a qualitative study
|  | 4–5 years | 7–8 years | 11–12 years |
|---|---|---|---|
Preferences | Soft, high-energy foods Fruit | Composed dishes Soft, high-energy foods Fruit | Vegetable dishes Composed dishes Soft, high-energy foods Fruit |
Dislikes | Bitter vegetables | Bitter vegetables Bland vegetables | Bitter vegetables Sour vegetables Bland vegetables |
Basis for liking | 1. Texture 2. Taste 3. Preference | 1. Texture 2. Taste 3. Sweetness 3. Sourness | 1. Taste 2. Texture 3. Preference for topping |
Basis for disliking | 1. Texture 2. Taste 3. Appearance | 1. Taste 2. Sourness 3. Texture | 1. Sourness 2. Bitterness 3. Negative (expected) experiences |