Social Media Food Personnel Seducing Audiences Away from Home Cooking?
Hungry for cooking inspiration? You might be swiping through social media food influencers, but guess what? It may mess with your little one's cooking game in unexpected ways. Fiona Lavelle, Lecturer at King's College London's Department of Nutritional Sciences, shed some light on this matter on RTÉ Radio 1's Drivetime.
It's all about setting the bar too high, according to Lavelle. "These cooks put meals on such a high pedestal that people are intimidated to try," she explained. "Kids expect that their meal should look like a picture-perfect social media post, and that's not realistic. It could negatively impact their cooking enthusiasm."
So, is it the complexity that turns kids off? Not exactly. Lavelle points out, "It's more about reaching an unattainable standard instead of realizing that a basic meal is perfectly fine."
But wait, is this a generational thing? Lavelle thinks so. "Kids who've grown up with social media constantly may be accustomed to learning through videos. But it's crucial to break the idealized social media narrative and encourage them to experiment and try."
Now, what if your kid gets hooked on these flawless videos and finds them intimidating to replicate at home? Lavelle suggests, "Just give it a go! If the meal doesn't turn out exactly like the Instagram picture, that's okay. As long as it's safe and edible, it's still a win."
But remember, if your kid comes across unfamiliar ingredients, don't fret. Hop online and find some alternatives!
In short, while social media food influencers can spark creativity, they may also dishearten kids by promoting unrealistic expectations. Parents should keep an eye on their kids' exposure, guide them towards healthy recipes and emphasize the importance of practical cooking skills.
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- The effects of social media influencers on a child's self-esteem
- The impact of unhealthy food marketing on children's food choices
Cooking lifestyle, fueled by food-and-drink influencers on social media, can inadvertently create unrealistic expectations for kids, dampening their cooking enthusiasm due to the perceived complexity and unattainable standards. To counteract this, it's essential for parents to guide their kids towards realistic recipes, emphasizing the importance of practical cooking skills rather than aiming for picture-perfect social media posts.
