Healthy Habits Project – Day 4: Conscious Nutrition and Healthy Consumer Habits

The fourth day of the Healthy Habits project in Gijón, Spain, began with an energizing icebreaker activity designed to boost participants’ energy levels and strengthen interaction within the group. Participants attached colorful paper strips to their clothing as tails and tried to protect their own tails while capturing those of others. This dynamic and entertaining game created a positive atmosphere and helped participants start the day with enthusiasm and motivation.

The main theme of the day focused on adequate and balanced nutrition, one of the fundamental pillars of a healthy lifestyle. During a seminar led by the Belgian team, participants explored the impact of healthy eating on physical health, quality of life, and long-term well-being. The session examined the principles of a healthy and balanced diet, the consequences of inadequate nutrition, and the importance of developing healthy eating habits from an early age. Topics such as limiting sugar consumption, avoiding processed foods, maintaining proper hydration, and creating a balanced nutrition plan were discussed in detail.

Following the seminar, participants took part in a practical field study on healthy grocery shopping coordinated by the Spanish team. Before visiting a local supermarket, participants received information on how to read food labels, evaluate ingredient lists, and analyze nutritional information such as calories, fat, fiber, sugar, and sodium content. This preparation equipped them with the knowledge needed to make healthier purchasing decisions in everyday life.

At the supermarket, participants worked in international teams to identify healthy and unhealthy products based on the information they had learned. By carefully examining labels, ingredients, and nutritional values, each group selected five healthy and five unhealthy products and later presented their findings to the other participants. This hands-on activity allowed young people to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-life setting while improving their critical thinking and consumer awareness skills.

Later in the day, participants worked under the leadership of the Hungarian team to create a digital video guide focusing on healthy eating and conscious shopping. Using photos and videos collected throughout the day, they produced informative content highlighting the importance of balanced nutrition, understanding food labels, and making healthier food choices. The videos also encouraged young people to reduce their reliance on fast food and highly processed products by choosing more natural and nutritious alternatives.

The day concluded with a feedback session led by the Belgian team, where participants completed online evaluation forms and shared their experiences through the interactive “Hot Chair” activity. In the evening, a cultural night coordinated by the Latvian team brought together participants from Spain, Latvia, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, and Hungary to present their cultural heritage. Through traditional foods, music, dances, and games, participants celebrated cultural diversity while strengthening friendships and promoting intercultural understanding, making the fourth day of the project both educational and memorable.