An Evaluation of Sequential Meal Presentation with Picky Eaters

Results of previous research evaluating sequential presentation of nonpreferred (NP) and high-preferred (HP) foods have been mixed, and little is known about how preferences for foods and the manner in which they are presented impact consumption. In many households, NP and HP foods are presented together on the same plate (total meal presentation). This was true for the participants included in this study; thus, total meal presentation served as a baseline against which to compare the effects of an appetizer presentation method and subsequently sequential presentation (differential reinforcement). Results demonstrated that presenting NP foods as an appetizer was not successful in increasing consumption. Consumption only increased after HP foods were made contingent on consumption of the NP food.