Anong Lulutuin? Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 Can Help

The hardest part of cooking is probably not about cooking at all-it’s deciding what to cook. Pain is in the planning.

This challenge seems to resonate widely. According to the Smart Parenting 2024 Audience Survey, “Deciding what to cook next” tops the list of parents' biggest concerns regarding food, cited by 42 percent of the respondents.

This dilemma is similar to the familiar and perpetual problem when you're out with friends or family, which basicaly boils down to: “Anong kakainin natin?” (What are we going to eat?)

There are quite possibly a number of considerations when deciding what to cook and eat, such as: 

• What do you want to eat? What does my family want to eat? What does the baby want to eat? What do we all enjoy eating?
• Do I have the ingredients?
• Well, what ingredients do I have? Do I have the time to prepare and cook this recipe?
• Do I even have the recipe? Or link to the recipe?
• Who has a food allergy?
• Do I have the energy?
• Oh the kids need my help in their homework, is there anything that can be cooked in less than 30 minutes? An hour?

And the list goes on.

We got chew!

We hear you. That’s why the Smart Parenting editors, in this very first SmartParenting Food Awards 2024, have carefully and meticulously reviewed entries and recommendations voted by the moms and dads from Smart Parenting Village, an online community of more than 100, 000 parents on Facebook.

Smart Parenting sifted through a long list of parent-approved food and kitchen essentials, covering the following categories:

• Baon and Snacks
• Breakfast
• Ulam
• Celebrations
• Kitchen Tools
• Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Baby

Categories for Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024

Baon and Snacks

The Baon & Snacks Category features easy to prepare, yummy, and nutritious baon and snack options busy parents will love for their kids. It includes processed foods, boxed drinks, bread and biscuits, sandwich spreads and chips that Filipino parents know their kids can't get enough of!

You'll find the winners of the Smart Parenting Awards 2024 - Baon & Snacks Category here.

Breakfast

For the Baon & Breakfast Category, we picked quick (15-min prep time or less!) and healthy breakfast options for the entire family. After all, Smart Parenting parents start their morning right with these easy-to-prepare and yummy breakfast items, which include processed foods, cereals, dairy, and fruit juices.

The winners for the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 - Baon & Breakfast Category are here.

Ulam

We're always thinking of flexible, healthy and delicious ulam essentials that are both quick and easy to prepare and are perfect for daily family meals. Now, parents can find their daily ulam questions answered with the Ulam Category! This list includes the Smart Parenting-recommended ulam options for meats, vegetables, ready-to-cook meals, mixes and seasonings, condiments, and canned goods.

Check out the winners of Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 - Ulam Category here.

Celebrations

The Celebrations Category provides stress-free food options for all your parties. Party planning doesn't need to be anxiety-inducing, and celebrating important milestones will be more enjoyable with these catering and party packages, food trays, food carts, food giveaways, cakes and desserts, and pasta and sauces.

Your next party is sure to be memorable with the winners of the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 - Celebration Category.

Kitchen Tools

Even in the kitchen, we want to work smarter, not harder. That's why in the Kitchen Tools Category, we've put together a list of must-have kitchen appliances for parents, and essentials for making meal preparation quicker and more efficient. These hardworking kitchen essentials include rice cookers, air fryers, microwave ovens, food processors and ovens.

Parents will get all the help they need with the winners of the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 - Kitchen Tools Category.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

The Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Category will help moms find effective, nutritious, and value for money food and drinks tailored for expecting and breastfeeding mothers, supporting their unique dietary needs. This list includes malunggay drinks and capsules, pregnancy milk, lactation treats, meal services, and breastmilk freezers.

Baby

The Baby Category features snacks and drinks suitable for babies transitioning to solid food, focusing on safe and wholesome ingredients. The winners of this category include infant and toddler snacks and biscuits, jarred food and mixes, packed fruits, food processors and distilled water.

Expectant moms, new moms, and moms raising babies can find the winners of the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024 - Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, and Baby Categories here.

Selection criteria

Here are the criteria for the Smart Parenting Food Awards 2024:

Convenience (30%)

Products are evaluated based on how easy they are to prepare and use. Parents value convenience highly, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. Quick preparation and minimal effort are key factors.

Value for money (30%)

Food products must offer good value for their price. Parents look for items that fit within their budget without compromising on quality and quantity.

Nutrition (20%)

The food products should contribute positively to the health and well-being of the family.

Accessibility (10%)

Products should be readily available in the market. Parents prefer items that they can easily purchase from local stores or online, ensuring they can maintain consistency in their choices.

Parent-Recommendation (10%)

Feedback from other parents is essential. Products recommended by the parent community carry weight as they reflect real-world use and satisfaction.

Are you excited about the results of SmartParenting Food Awards 2024?

Hang on tight as we reveal this year’s 50 parent-approved food and kitchen essentials!

Read here for a nutrition coach's junk food rule for her kids.