With practices such as eating together and reading food labels, parents can ensure their children are eating right.
We live in a time when supermarkets in every nook and cranny sell junk food in alluring shapes, sizes and colors to tempt us with our cravings. Moreover, we have applications that bring everything we want to our door within minutes. Is it any wonder that lifestyle diseases are on the rise not just among us adults, but in children and young adults as well?
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Thanks to our crazy lives, prepared and packaged foods have become a more convenient option than the healthier, homemade foods enjoyed by previous generations who didn’t have as many options as we do today. When convenience trumps conscious eating, the constant challenge for parents of young children is how to be more mindful of what their children eat. Living room She speaks to experts to find out how important it is to pay attention to what’s on a child’s plate and how parents can strike a balance between their own busy lives and their child’s health.
“We live in an age where kitchens are becoming modular and the food we eat is processed,” writes Bengaluru-based clinical nutritionist Gauravi Vinay. Gut, Set, GoA children’s journal written to help children develop a healthy relationship with food. Vinay reveals that the diary was the result of countless queries he received from parents on how to ensure their children eat healthy.
“I also organized an online workshop on child nutrition during covid-19, which was attended by many people,” he recalls. The magazine hopes to further educate children about what goes into their bodies and does this by featuring illustrated descriptions of healthy foods, nutritional information, sections such as ‘Know Your Food Colours’ and innovative ideas for school. dabbas. Emphasizing that good eating habits start at home, Vinay said, “I did not have to make a lot of effort to get my son used to good food because we always gave importance to buying fresh products at home. “Plus, she was always busy grocery shopping and saw us, her parents, choosing fresh foods over processed foods.”
The Rise of Clean Kids Food Brands
Many companies recognize the growing gap between children’s nutritional needs and the challenges parents face in providing healthy nutrition to their children. And they’re trying to close that gap by offering a range of cleaner, healthier alternatives. For example, Mumbai-based brand Kiddoze produces nutritional gummies for children, but to ensure its ‘target audience’ enjoys them, it offers its multivitamin, calcium, omega and iron gummies in delicious, fruity flavours. According to Nonita Mehta, founder of Kiddoze, the idea to create delicious supplements for children stemmed from the lack of options in the market.
“(Current) options are convenient but lack essential nutrients that are vital for their growth and development. Additionally, busy lifestyles and the ubiquity of digital devices have contributed to decreased physical activity among children, further impacting their overall health,” he says. Mehta believes it is important for children’s nutrition products today to be inclusive and meet a variety of needs. Especially due to new health problems caused by our modern lifestyle, such as iron deficiency, food sensitivities, malnutrition, dietary restrictions and allergies. From his perspective, Mehta thinks it’s easily possible to “strike a balance between modern living and having nutritious options that kids can enjoy.”
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Vinay approves of offering ‘alternative and clean packaged foods’ for children. “Processing isn’t that bad. It just depends on the level. The key is to read the ingredients listed on the package. The first few ingredients are always the largest in quantity,” he explains.
Pediatrician, influencer (Dr HiFive on Instagram) and co-founder of Hungry Koala, Dr. Sayed Mujahid says that children being picky eaters and not liking healthy, nutritious food is the biggest problem faced by most parents who consult him. A company that produces organic food products such as cereals, nut butters and pancake mixes for kids.
“A growing child needs a healthy, balanced diet with the right amount of carbohydrates, protein and other essential vitamins and minerals. But today’s children crave sugary or salty processed foods that are easily available. This is why I founded Hungry Koala two years ago: producing clean, nutritious food for children, free of artificial flavors and preservatives,” he says.
Mujahid also organizes workshops and is known for his ‘Read Before You Eat’ campaign. “It’s absolutely essential to read the labels on all the food we buy,” she says. “Parents should lead by example by eating healthy, staying away from screens while eating, and making time to sit together and eat as a family at least once a day,” she says.
Mehta notes that when parents monitor what their children eat, children form a positive relationship with food. “Introducing a variety of nutritious options and encouraging mindful eating habits helps children develop a healthy attitude towards food. With a few simple changes, nutrition can become an enjoyable experience for children and a carefree journey for parents.”
Deepa Natarajan Lobo is a freelance journalist based in Bengaluru.
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