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.
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.
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.
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.