Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTom WilkinsonWednesday 13 May 2026 07:28 BSTRelated: Joe Wicks shares how to get 'picky' children to eat vegetablesNew research has revealed that young children are more likely to react positively to the scent of vegetables if they were regularly exposed to them while still in the womb.A long-running study, spearheaded by Durham University, meticulously analysed the reactions of three-year-olds to the smells of carrots and kale, following up on earlier studies where mothers consumed carrot or kale capsules during late pregnancy.The research found that three-year-olds whose mothers had taken carrot powder capsules during pregnancy displayed less negative reactions to the smell of carrots, with similar favourable reactions observed for kale.Experts suggest these extended findings indicate that young children retain a memory of the flavour and odour of foods encountered in late pregnancy, potentially shaping their food preferences years after birth.Researchers recommend that mothers-to-be maintain a rich, varied diet incorporating diverse fruits and vegetables, while acknowledging the study's small sample size of 12 three-year-olds.In fullPregnancy diet shapes children’s vegetable preferences new research revealsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in