![]() This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. But the show could go further to encourage children to eat more healthily in the way Michelle Obama has become known for. Waffles and Mochi certainly has inspired some thought and no doubt will hopefully encourage children (and adults) to cook and try new food as well as igniting their interest in foods from around the world. With the continuing rise in childhood obesity it is a subject which needs serious consideration. Children are still eating too many calories, including sugar, and often the wrong foods and so parents need to be provided with the correct knowledge and information to support their child’s health and wellbeing. Our children’s health should be of prime concern and good and healthy habits need to be instilled as early in life as possible. For example, tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and have many health benefits(while adding sugar can counteract this). Waffles and Mochi is an excellent platform, widely available across the world, which could educate children about what foods are good and what their health benefits are, alongside where they come from. A study carried out in the Netherlands found that children who watched television programmes with healthy foods were more likely to choose healthy options for snacks. Programmes featuring healthy foods can be an important ingredient in supporting children to make healthier food choices throughout life. So dedicating a whole episode to it doesn’t really fit with a message of encouraging healthy eating when, again, there are global initiatives to reduce our salt intake. While adding salt when cooking is very common, the reality is most people eat too much of it. Although it was suggested that salt should be added in moderation, the overarching message to children was that you needed salt to make the food taste better. Yet there are other ways of making tomatoes taste sweeter, such as roasting them, that don’t involve an ingredient most countries are trying to reduce consumption of. For instance, in one episode sugar was added to tomatoes. However, having watched a few episodes, I was concerned the show didn’t do enough to encourage as healthy a diet as possible. It educates children that food is not just from a shelf in the supermarket or the nearest takeaway. Teaching children about where their food is from is also brilliant. Leading by example, like Mochi and Waffles, is a great way to do this. And, if used appropriately and of good quality, TV shows can create powerful messages.Īdvice for parents of picky eaters is to avoid being anxious and instead always be positive. It can also teach important values and life lessons. Young children will sit and watch and take on board what they see and hear, especially if the show includes fast-moving action, lively music and colourful animation. I believe that television is an effective teaching tool, which is not always used to its best advantage. The series has some inspirational ideas and is excellent in introducing children and adults to different cultures and foods. ![]() They travel the world in their magical flying shopping cart and meet celebrity chefs, including Jose Andres from Spain and Massimo Bottura from Italy. Waffles and Mochi are two puppets who are determined to learn to cook and prepare fresh meals after living on a pretty terrible diet of ice cream. So a bright and entertaining TV show that also informs is a great idea. They require stimulation and encouragement to soak up information and learn by experience. A part of this is encouraging them to cook and try new foods, which are nutritious and beneficial to them. I am extremely passionate about educating children (and their parents) about good nutrition. Habits learned at a young age, such as healthy eating, have been proven to carry through to adulthood. And their parents should be made aware of meeting dietary requirements in a way that supports a long and healthy life. ![]() So, children should be encouraged to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, and to eat a varied diet that is rich in nutrients. How a child eats can have a serious impact on their overall health and wellbeing throughout life. The idea is to show children where food comes from and some ways of cooking it from scratch – instead of just buying pre-made meals from the supermarket. Michelle Obama’s new TV show, Waffles and Mochi, aimed at young children, is a fabulous idea.
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