Balchem teams up with author for child-friendly NPD as Kids Eat Right Month spotlights nutritional demands

28 Jul 2021 --- Children’s specific nutritional needs to support growth spurts will be the focus of August’s Kids Eat Right Month, which is being celebrated for the eighth year. Balchem Corporation is also targeting children’s nutrition with its agreement with the author of children’s book series Ninja Life Hacks.

Balchem is seeking out strategic partners for branded food products that promote a healthy emotional and physical relationship with foods. The products will range from ice creams to healthy foods and dietary supplements for cognitive health, and will be developed for specific partners and retailers.

“Together we will take the science of nutrition and make it understandable for kids and their parents through the Ninja Life Hacks characters,” says Shitij Chabba, vice president of minerals and nutrients and global marketing, Balchem Human Nutrition & Health.

Kids Eat Right Month was created in 2014 to mobilize registered dietitian nutritionists in a grassroots movement.Targeting brain, mood and immunity
Balchem’s food technology will help bring the Ninja Life Hacks brand to life in the three areas of brain power, emotional well-being, and immune health and nutrition. 

The Ninja Life Hacks characters assist in building avenues for conversation, with the ultimate goal of bringing emotional and physical health discussions to the kitchen, lunchroom and dinner table.

“A healthy relationship with food is key to children’s mental and emotional well-being. The combination of Balchem’s unique food technology and featured Ninja Life Hacks characters will help to foster this positive relationship,” says Mary Nhin, the author of Ninja Life Hacks.

The self-published series helps children cultivate a growth mindset and develop confidence, grit and emotional intelligence.  

“Our partners innovating in kid-focused products can leverage our collaboration and science-backed ingredients to create products that resonate with parents,” adds Chabba. 

Previous research on UK cereal brands found that child-friendly images such as cartoons or bright colors are often linked with high sugar levels and low fiber levels. 

Building healthy habits
Balchem’s new products will include child-friendly ice cream.Meanwhile, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is using Kids Eat Right Month as a chance to encourage parents and caregivers to help children establish healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

“Pre-teens and teens may grow at least two2 inches per year and gain up to 6.5 pounds per year during this time. As their bodies grow in size and proportion, so do their appetites,” explains registered dietitian nutritionist Amy Reed, a spokesperson for the Academy. 

She suggests that children are offered a wide variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, lean protein foods, whole grains and dairy or fortified soy alternatives to promote growth. “Pre-teens and teens may not always eat the foods that a parent serves, but the more they are offered these foods, the more likely they are to eat them.”

Satisfying snacks
Additionally, children going through a growth spurt may need at least two snacks a day. Good options could include fruit, whole-grain crackers with peanut butter and low-fat string cheese. 

However, she says parents should discourage mindless snacking in front of the television or while playing video games. Additionally, consistent family mealtimes can help discourage snacking too close to meals. 

“Parents should be sure to ‘walk the talk’ by eating nutritious foods, participating in regular physical activities and conveying a positive body image to their children,” Reed notesays. “Children emulate their parents, so it’s important for parents to set a good example with healthful habits of their own.”

Healthy snacking NPD has proliferated in recent months, with various offerings targeting mood support and transparency demands. Other examples include The Bountiful Company’s chilled protein bars and Toodaloo’s adaptogenic trail mixes. 

By Katherine Durrell