A new home-based programme called “Eat Like a Star” developed by researchers at Management and Science University (MSU) is offering families a refreshing, evidence-based way forward.
PICKY eating is a familiar struggle in many Malaysian households. From pushing vegetables aside to refusing unfamiliar foods, mealtime battles can leave parents feeling frustrated and children missing out on essential nutrients.
But a new home-based programme called “Eat Like a Star” developed by researchers at Management and Science University (MSU) is offering families a refreshing, evidence-based way forward.
“Eat Like a Star” is a home-based nutrition module designed to transform mealtimes from battles into opportunities. While fussiness can seem like “just a phase”, persistent picky eating can create real problems:
0 Nutrient gaps: Children who consistently avoid vegetables and new foods risk missing out on essential vitamins and minerals crucial for healthy growth.
0 Lifelong habits: Research shows that patterns set in early childhood often follow children into adolescence.
“Eat Like a Star” is designed to intervene early, giving families practical and enjoyable tools to build healthy eating habits before fussy patterns become permanent.
Power of play
The strength of this module lies in its realistic, low-pressure approach, perfectly suited for the busy Malaysian household. It moves away from rigid rules and instead embraces fun, sensory-based strategies to help children gradually accept new foods.
The module includes themed recipes featuring familiar ingredients like spinach, French beans, carrots, broccoli and potatoes. Each activity is designed to help children touch, smell, observe and play with vegetables. This sensory exposure is vital for overcoming the natural anxiety children feel towards new or unfamiliar food textures.
Parents are also guided on how to respond calmly to food refusal, avoid forcing or bribing and model positive eating behaviours that children naturally imitate.
Happier, healthier mealtimes in five weeks
In early trials, parents who used the “Eat Like a Star” module reported significant, meaningful changes at their dinner tables (see table).
These small wins are everything. When a child associates vegetables with pleasant, stress-free family time, they are far more likely to accept and enjoy them in the long run.
Unlike many nutrition programmes that focus solely on children, “Eat Like a Star” focuses on the parent as the architect of the home food environment.
By building skills and confidence in parents – even those who struggle with mealtime stress – the module creates lasting change where it matters most – at home.
This programme aligns with global recommendations from organisations like the World Health Organisation, which highlight the importance of early exposure to nutritious foods and creating supportive mealtime environments.
Small module, big mission
Made possible by the MSU Knowledge Transfer Programme Grant, “Eat Like a Star” is a powerful example of community-driven research that directly addresses national concerns about childhood nutrition.
With further development, “Eat Like a Star” can be expanded into preschools, community nutrition programmes or even nationwide public health initiatives addressing childhood nutrition.
Meaningful change in a child’s health doesn’t always start in a hospital; it begins at home, one family and one confident, joyful meal at a time.
By helping children build curiosity and confidence at the dining table, this programme is helping parents shine as the true stars of their children’s well-being.
This project was led by Dr Maisarah Abdul Mutalib and co-investigator Dr Ang Yeow Nyin, together with PhD candidate Nur Shahirah Mohd Tahir from Management and Science University.
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