In line with its commitment to supporting Malaysians in the journey towards healthier eating habits, Nestlé Malaysia kicked off its ‘Together in the Kitchen’ campaign with an engaging nutritional talk and cooking competition for parents and their children. This aligns with Nestlé’s global initiative – Nestlé for Healthier Kids (N4HK) programme, to empower 50 million children worldwide to lead healthier lives by the year 2030.
According to the Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019, one in five Malaysian children (under 5 years of age) suffer from stunting, while research has revealed that 9 in 10 adults and children do not consume the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Malaysian children also suffer from the dual burden of stunting and obesity due to malnutrition, along with micronutrient deficiencies.
Ms Wong Mei Ching, Group Corporate Nutrition Manager of Nestlé (Malaysia) Bhd, said, “With a keen understanding of the nutritional challenges that Malaysians face, at the heart of our NH4K programme is the belief that teaching children to make healthier food choices will contribute to a healthier future for young Malaysians. Ultimately, we want our children to be capable of making smart choices on their own. Getting our children involved in preparing meals helps increase their willingness to try vegetables and fruits, and a variety of foods, and fosters an appreciation for nutritious foods. This is where the ‘Together in the Kitchen’ campaign comes in to help shape the development of children’s food preferences and good eating habits.”
To expand the reach of the programme and enhance relatability with parents, popular local influencer and celebrity Noor Nabila and her son Jayden Jebat took part in the nutritional talk with a cooking demonstration, alongside nutritionist Afiqah Kahar who highlighted the importance of getting kids involved in preparing meals and shared tips for parents to make the experience more enjoyable for themselves and their kids. A fun-filled cooking competition which drew a total of 16 participants comprising parents and their children was also held for a hands-on experiential session.
“To further inspire and support parents, the session also presented simple, nutritious and appetising Bento Box recipes, paired with MILO UHT as an easy and convenient energy and nutrient source to keep kids nourished for their daily activities. Our MILO UHT product range is loved by kids of all ages and is perfect to accompany wholesome school lunches,” added Ms Wong.
The nutritional talk and fun-filled cooking competition further emphasised to parents the many benefits of cooking with their children, including encouraging them to adopt healthier eating habits from a young age. In addition, cooking with kids provides opportunities for parents to teach them important life skills, while creating memories that last a lifetime.