But it appears 21st century parents are getting more creative with their bribes, with one in five admitting to negotiating time on the computer or just cold hard cash in order to get their kids to eat up.

Some sneaky parents have even gone to the length of telling their children that vegetables contain chocolate, according to the poll of over 3500 parents by My Little Soup Company. It turns out parents will resort to anything, with one in twelve admitting to telling their children famous people eat them. Top of the list of most hated vegetables was not surprisingly cabbage, closely followed by spinach and courgettes.

The North West is the region home to the most difficult children with 56 per cent of parents admitting to having trouble getting their kids eating vegetables.

Co-founder of My Little Soup and mum of two Marnie Millard said: “This information makes interesting reading and shows the lengths parents will go to, to get their children to eat healthier. “Parents understand the need to give their children five a day but are struggling to get their children to eat them.”

According to government statistics, the UK population is eating less than half the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables. Children eat even less, eating on average only two portions a day.

Our most popular fibs are -

• All professional footballers are vegetarian
  
• Beetroot makes your wee purple
  
• You’ll grow up big and strong
  
• Carrots will help you see in the dark
  
• Someone famous eats them
  
• Runner beans make you run fast
  
• Vegetables contain chocolate
  
• The green giant will come and get you if you don’t eat your sweet corn
  
• Short people didn’t eat their greens
  
• Chips are made with Carrots

For more information please visit www.mylittlesoup.com