Can Storytelling Support Healthy Eating Habits in Children? Research suggests so!

A recent study published on medRxiv reports on how researchers tested an innovative approach to addressing unhealthy eating patterns in children through behavioural interventions that are fun, relatable, and engaging.

Researchers conducted two experiments involving children aged 4-6, using fairytales to promote healthy eating. The experimental story featured protagonists who used magic fruits or vegetables to save their town, while the control story had a similar structure but no food-related content. After hearing the experimental stories, children's healthy food choices, such as fruits or vegetables, increased significantly compared to baseline levels, with effects lasting up to two weeks.

The study explored the impact of using stories to educate children about healthy eating habits and the importance of balanced diets. In a world where obesity and related health issues are on the rise, establishing healthy eating habits early on is more important than ever. Storytelling is an easily accessible and potentially powerful tool that both parents and teachers can use to help support children's health. Readmio's interactive stories can help children understand complex health concepts and encourage them in a natural, engaging way to make healthier food choices in real life.

The new study (Katembu, Zahedi, et al.), finds that children exposed to structured, engaging storytelling sessions focused on nutrition and daily activity were more likely to make healthier choices. The researchers emphasise how three critical components contribute to this effect:

• Engaging stories that capture the children’s imaginations.
• Practical examples linking health information to their daily lives.
• Parent and teacher involvement in fostering discussion.

Readmio and healthy eating

At Readmio, we have great belief in the power of storytelling to inspire change, and our library includes several stories that relate to health and lifestyle, including healthy eating habits. Our stories work well with young audiences because they connect with children on an emotional level. Instead of just hearing about “good” or “bad” foods, children meet characters they care about who face real-world challenges and make choices they can relate to. The benefits of those choices are explained in accessible, relatable and fun ways. This helps children to internalise the stories’ lessons and make healthier choices in their own lives.

Moreover, our stories are set up to encourage interactive reading and discussion, providing opportunities for parents and teachers to reinforce the stories’ positive messages about food and health and encourage the children to think about how the story relates to their own context.

Here are some of Readmio’s stories that communicate lessons about healthy living:

Abi and the pudding‍

Abi loves food, but some of the boys at her school have been teasing her about it. Fortunately, Abi’s mum is able to give her some wise advice. As Abi learns more about healthy eating, she also discovers a new, surprisingly useful hobby. Discover how Abi cleverly turns the boys’ teasing to her advantage in this inspiring story.

Bunty Buckwheat and the Decorations

In this engaging and educational story about the ancient grain buckwheat, Bunty Buckwheat introduces children to the many forms it can take and the variety of dishes it can be used to create.

The Cake Paradox

A beloved princess falls ill, and a reward is promised to anyone who can help her recover. Surprisingly, the cure turns out to be cake, and soon the princess is well again! After that, she will only eat cake – but she falls ill again. Now the queen faces a dilemma: should she continue with the cake “treatment” and hope it works again, or can the palace’s chef come up with a healthier solution?‍

Microbe Patrick’s Letter to Kids Everywhere

Patrick knows all about humans—but he’s not one of them. He’s not even an animal, he’s just a tiny microbe living inside a human body. Don’t worry, though; he’s here to help, working hard to keep the body healthy! What troubles Patrick is that lots of children don’t know how to take care of their tummies, so they feel unwell more often than they should. This story is Patrick’s special letter to the children to help them understand how to feel better. 

Why Does Charlie Avoid Chocolate?‍

Charlie receives an invitation to a birthday party, but when he finds out there will be a chocolate cake, he starts to worry. If he goes to the party, everyone will find out about his food allergy, and he’s afraid they will tease him about it. With some gentle encouragement from his mum, Charlie decides to go to the party anyway. Read this story to see how it turned out! 

Jamie’s big dream

Jamie is a young boy who struggles with reading and writing and is having a bit of a hard time at school. He’s much happier at home, where he spends as much time as he can in the kitchen, because his true passion is cooking. Dive into this story to discover how Jamie ends up helping other people discover healthy, tasty food.‍

It all starts with a story! 

The latest research confirms one of Readmio’s foundational beliefs: that storytelling can shape people’s behaviour. Stories can make learning about health not just enjoyable but also more effective, guiding children toward a lifetime of healthier habits.

So if you’re looking for good ways to encourage children to think about healthy lifestyle habits  and healthy eating, or to adjust their own behaviours towards more healthy choices, why not start by exploring some of Readmio’s stories?