Pilots

Our aim

Pilots

We will proceed with pilot testing the DietWise approach in Belgium, Greece and Lithuania to see how well it works in real life. This includes evaluating how our methods and digital tools ‒ RCA and MyRecipeWatch ‒ help people make healthier food choices. We will also consider important factors like culture, religion, seasons, and local food habits. Additionally, we will involve citizens in hands-on activities to better understand their experiences and improve our tools.

Map of Europe with the three DietWise pilot countries highlighted: Belgium, Lithuania and Greece

Pick a pilot on the map

Belgian Pilot

Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven vzw

  • Testing interventions in retail environment (Foodbag.be)
  • Influencer engagement in the RCA
  • Analyse the accessibility of the interventions targeting vulnerable children and adolescents (e.g. youth on aid).

To support vulnerable groups, the Belgian pilot will focus on children and adolescents in need, such as those receiving social assistance. We will introduce them to RCA and MyRecipeWatch, showing how these tools can help them make healthier food choices. Additionally, we will explore ways to improve existing digital tools to better serve them, such as offering simple, quick recipes and testing affordable meal kit delivery options with pre-measured ingredients.

The Belgian pilot will also work with influencers encouraging them to voluntarily align their meal recipes with nutritional guidelines using RCA. To reach a wider audience, we will also engage both well-known (macro) and smaller (micro) influencers. They will receive guidance and one-on-one consultations on how to incorporate useful digital tools and apps into their content.

Next, we will introduce our behavioural strategies through platforms like ZekerGezond.be and popular websites/apps run by celebrity chefs, nutritionists, influencers, and retailers. A key focus will be on the retail sector, particularly Foodbag.be, which provides meal kits. Research shows that meal kits can help families eat more vegetables. We plan to integrate ZekerGezond recipes into the Foodbag.be website and app, making it easier for people to access and choose healthier meal kits. We will also test different interventions on the Foodbag.be platform to see how they influence customer motivation and healthier food choices.

oUR AIM

We will proceed with pilot testing the DietWise approach in Belgium, Greece and Lithuania to see how well it works in real life. This includes evaluating how our methods and digital tools ‒ RCA and MyRecipeWatch ‒ help people make healthier food choices. We will also consider important factors like culture, religion, seasons, and local food habits. Additionally, we will involve citizens in hands-on activities to better understand their experiences and improve our tools.

Belgian pilot

  • Testing interventions in retail environment (Foodbag.be)
  • Influencer engagement in the RCA
  • Analyse the accessibility of the interventions targeting vulnerable children and adolescents (e.g. youth on aid).

To support vulnerable groups, the Belgian pilot will focus on children and adolescents in need, such as those receiving social assistance. We will introduce them to RCA and MyRecipeWatch, showing how these tools can help them make healthier food choices. Additionally, we will explore ways to improve existing digital tools to better serve them, such as offering simple, quick recipes and testing affordable meal kit delivery options with pre-measured ingredients.

The Belgian pilot will also work with influencers encouraging them to voluntarily align their meal recipes with nutritional guidelines using RCA. To reach a wider audience, we will also engage both well-known (macro) and smaller (micro) influencers. They will receive guidance and one-on-one consultations on how to incorporate useful digital tools and apps into their content.

Next, we will introduce our behavioural strategies through platforms like ZekerGezond.be and popular websites/apps run by celebrity chefs, nutritionists, influencers, and retailers. A key focus will be on the retail sector, particularly Foodbag.be, which provides meal kits. Research shows that meal kits can help families eat more vegetables. We plan to integrate ZekerGezond recipes into the Foodbag.be website and app, making it easier for people to access and choose healthier meal kits. We will also test different interventions on the Foodbag.be platform to see how they influence customer motivation and healthier food choices.

Greek pilot

  • Influencer engagement in the RCA
  • Addressing the needs of vulnerable people by targeting schoolchildren and families in low-SES areas

In Greece, the digital food space is largely shaped by celebrity chefs and bloggers. To promote healthier eating, we will follow a similar approach as in Belgium by encouraging influencers who participated in co-creation activities to align their recipes with nutritional guidelines through RCA. We will also invite other influencers to join the initiative and provide them with personalized guidance on integrating useful digital tools and apps into their content.

To support vulnerable communities, the Greek pilot will focus on families in low-income areas. We will create a “nudging package” in collaboration with experts, including nutritionists, health promotion specialists, school nurses, and influencers. This package will help teachers and families adopt healthier eating habits by introducing RCA and MyRecipeWatch. It will be tailored to different age groups and include fun activities for the whole family, as well as practical tips for organizing the kitchen in a way that encourages healthy eating.

Teachers will also receive a manual with classroom projects and workshops for students. These activities will include school competitions for homemade healthy meals using MyRecipeWatch and cooking workshops that teach students how to reduce food waste by using leftovers. The workshops will involve the whole school community.

To ensure long-term impact, we will establish a “school health promotion” group, bringing together representatives from schools, health and education sectors, public health authorities, and parent associations. This group will help coordinate efforts and create a supportive environment for healthier food choices.

Lithuanian pilot

  • Influencer engagement in the RCA
  • Addressing the needs of senior citizens and adolescents with eating disorders via cooking classes using MyRecipeWatch

In Lithuania, we will follow the same approach as in Belgium and Greece. Influencers who participated in co-creation activities will be encouraged to voluntarily align their recipes with nutritional guidelines through RCA. Additionally, we will invite other influencers, including bloggers and celebrity chefs to consider adopting the RCA initiative.

Our interventions will be integrated into RCA, MyRecipeWatch, and the Lithuanian Public Health Bureau’s website and app. We will assess how effectively these tools motivate consumers to make healthier food choices.

The Lithuanian pilot will also focus on supporting vulnerable groups, including the elderly and adolescents with eating disorders. To reach them, we will use engaging and accessible formats, such as cooking classes that teach participants how to prepare healthy and affordable meals. These classes will also provide hands-on training on using MyRecipeWatch and RCA ratings while cooking, making it easier for participants to make informed food choices.

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