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How the processed food industry made American kids picky eaters

The cover of "Picky" by Helen Zoe Veit. (Courtesy of Helen Zoe Veit)
Courtesy of Helen Zoe Veit
The cover of "Picky" by Helen Zoe Veit. (Courtesy of Helen Zoe Veit)

American kids weren’t always picky eaters. In fact, children in the 19th century ate all kinds of different foods, such as spicy sauces, shellfish and organ meats.

Helen Zoe Veit is the author of the new book, “Picky: How American Children Became the Fussiest Eaters in History,” which follows how the processed food industry changed kids’ palates.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

Here & Now Newsroom