The Key to Making Nutrition Effective

Eat healthier, reduce your sugar intake, blah, blah, blah. We've heard all the things that tell us how to be healthier, but does someone telling you to reduce your carb intake ACTUALLY reduce your carb intake? Definitely not. In order to make your goals work, you need a reason, or in other words a "why". In this blog, we'll dive into how oftentimes, we aren't accurately conceptualizing our macro intake and the key tool to making nutrition effective: visualization.

In a world where information overload can often leave us feeling bewildered, the value of visual representations cannot be underestimated. From complex data sets to abstract concepts, visualizations serve as a powerful tool to help us comprehend and internalize information effectively. In this blog, we'll explore how visual representations play a pivotal role in aiding our understanding, and how a remarkable program called Koy is harnessing this power to revolutionize the way we perceive sugars in our food.

Seeing is Believing: Unleashing the Potential of Visuals

From ancient cave drawings to modern infographics, humans have long relied on visuals to convey ideas and knowledge. It's no secret that the human brain processes visual information faster and more efficiently than text alone. Studies have shown that visual aids improve learning retention, comprehension, and decision-making. By presenting data in a visual format, complex relationships and patterns become accessible, enabling us to grasp the bigger picture effortlessly.

It is imperative for Asian communities to see how their traditional/common foods, even as culturally important or frequently consumed as they are, can leave them at a higher risk for type 2 diabetes. According to the study "Cultural Influences on Dietary Self-Management of Type 2 Diabetes in East Asian Americans: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7081245/) done by Tony Li-Geng and colleagues, East Asians "found it difficult to adapt to [dietary] recommended practices due to traditional views on food" and "patients reported that recommendations from health care providers typically involved removing refined carbohydrates from their diet, causing them to feel distanced from familiar and shared cultural food habits and practices".

This can make it extremely hard to explain the “why” to being healthier, especially for people who might struggle with Type 2 diabetes where being healthy is an urgent and innate concern. Another problem is for people to be able to accurately see how much sugar is in their food. Studies such as "Quantifying Actual and Perceived Inaccuracy When Estimating the Sugar, Energy Content and Portion Size of Foods" (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6835963/), done by Laura M. König and colleagues have concluded that "estimating the sugar content of foods is very difficult for consumers".

Koy: Illuminating the Hidden Sweetness

Enter Koy, an innovative program that has taken the visualization concept to new heights by focusing on a crucial aspect of our daily lives - the sugars in our food. Koy teaches families the "why" to eat healthy by visualizing sugar content in Asian foods while also providing the "how" to eat healthy through simple ingredient switches and convenience focused recipes. Developed by a group of passionate high school students, Koy aims to address the challenges of understanding the sugar content, especially in traditional Asian foods that have been staples in many households.

The Link between Sugars and Health

Type 2 diabetes and other health conditions have become increasingly prevalent, often linked to dietary choices, including sugar intake. For many of these students, the struggle hits close to home, with close family members facing such health challenges. They recognized the need to bridge the knowledge gap between cultural cuisine and health implications, inspiring the birth of Koy.

Empowering Users with Visual Sugar Insights

Koy's brilliance lies in its simplicity and impact. The program provides users with a visually engaging representation of sugars, including carbohydrate content, in various foods. By leveraging user-friendly visualizations of sugar cubes, users can easily comprehend the sugar levels in different dishes and make informed decisions about their dietary habits.

The Art of Balancing Heritage and Health

Cultural heritage is deeply intertwined with traditional foods, but this often means inherited recipes can be laden with sugars and carbohydrates. Koy acknowledges the importance of preserving cultural identity while also prioritizing health. Through the power of visuals, the program empowers users to strike a balance, making healthier choices without compromising on their cultural heritage.

Conclusion

Visual representations have an extraordinary capacity to transcend barriers and offer profound understanding. Koy's groundbreaking approach to visually representing sugars in food is not just about numbers on a screen; it's about empowering individuals to take control of their health, fostering a deeper connection to their cultural heritage, and fostering a community that thrives on making better choices together. So why wait? Embrace the power of visuals, join the Koy community, and embark on a journey to a healthier and more informed you. Your body and taste buds will thank you!