Nutritional Knowledge and Acceptance of Red Bean–Moringa Chicken Nuggets among Mothers with Toddlers in Gresik, East Java, Indonesia

The problem of stunting in Indonesia has long-term impacts on the nation's future. Stunting causes low productivity, low intellectual capacity, and the risk of chronic disease. In order to support the government's program through proper nutrition, this study aims to assess the utilization of functional food products with high protein content, specifically red bean–moringa chicken nuggets. The study uses a questionnaire to assess the acceptability of red bean–moringa chicken nuggets and determine the level of knowledge and eating habits. The research was conducted at Ujungpangkah Public Health Center, Gresik Regency. The study subjects were 31 mothers of toddlers aged 1-5 years. The results show that most mothers of toddlers have good nutritional knowledge (87.7%). The average score for eating habits was moderate (53.8%); with six toddlers (19.4%) having good eating habits, while 25 toddlers (80.6%) had poor eating habits. Pearson’s analysis showed no significant correlation among nutritional knowledge, eating habits, and food acceptance. Based on the acceptability test results, the red bean-moringa chicken and nuggets were liked by the respondents and have the potential to be an alternative plant-based dietary nutrition. To meet the nutritional needs of toddlers and to reduce the rates of stunting, future programs will include training in the preparation of red bean-moringa nuggets and conducting economic feasibility analysis in Gresik Regency, which is located in East Java Province, Indonesia.