Here are four apps which enable parents to prepare meal plans and diets for children, track nutrient benefits and motivate children to eat healthy
– Kiran Balimane
HealthifyMe
Platform: Android, iOS
Age group: Parents of 6-12 years
A Made in India app, HealthifyMe offers AI-powered food tracking and a vast database of Indian recipes. Parents can use its colorful, easy-to-use interface to log details of their children’s meals, track water intake, monitor physical activity, and set personalized health goals. The app’s AI assistant ‘Ria’ offers child-friendly meal suggestions based on age, nutritional needs, and food preferences — enabling parents to plan balanced school lunches and snacks. For deeper guidance, parents can opt for premium plans that include access to certified child nutritionists and fitness coaches.
Kids Meals App
Platform: Android, iOS
Age group: Parents of 2–12 years
This app — “created by experts in child nutrition and picky eating to help you overcome mealtime challenges and simplify your family’s food routine” — offers over 450 child-friendly recipes and meal plans. It provides tips for picky eaters, interactive food activities, and age-specific meal ideas. Parents can filter meals based on dietary needs, allergies, or picky preferences, and a built-in grocery list feature simplifies shopping. AI-driven suggestions adjust meal plans based on a child’s growth stage, activity level, and previous likes or dislikes. Full access requires a paid subscription plan.
My Baby Panda Chef
Platform: Android, iOS
Age group: 3-8 years
This app invites kids to role-play as Panda Chef and prepare healthy meals for animal friends. Children select ingredients from a virtual fridge to prepare meals, desserts or milkshakes. Designed for toddlers and preschoolers, the app encourages creativity and motor skills development. Kids can chop, stir-fry, juice, and explore kitchen tasks with the help of an adorable panda guide. With simple drag-and-drop controls, cheerful interface and offline access, it’s a good option to introduce children to healthy eating. This app is free to download and use.
Happy Eaters: Weaning Recipes
Platform: Android, iOS
Age group: Parents of 0-8 years
This user-friendly app simplifies your infant’s transition to solid foods with personalized meal plans, age-appropriate recipes, and expert-backed feeding tips. With over 2,000 nutritionist-approved recipes — from porridges and purees to toddler-friendly curries and snacks — it helps parents provide variety and develop lifelong healthy eating habits. The app also features a food tracker, first-100-foods checklist, and a “What’s in your fridge?” recipe finder. The premium version unlocks expert videos, Q&As with pediatric dietitians, and access to a parents community.
