This is an archive article published on March 9, 2018

Now, a book to decode junk food for parents, inculcate healthy eating habits in children

The book, to be released on Sunday, will address basics of nutrition, food habits and provide 120 recipes

3 min readPuneMar 9, 2018 08:43 AM IST

healthy food, eating habits, junk food, parenting, children, kids, book on child nutrition, indian express

Nutritionists pointed out that the consequences of junk food on health are detrimental, irrespective of whether such food items are consumed occasionally or regularly

Parents are very careful about what they feed their children up till the age of two. After that, they start exploring more food options. Children are exposed to and develop a taste for junk food like french fries, pizzas, burgers, aerated drinks and chips. Doctors and nutritionists advise parents to build healthy eating habits in children, and now, healthcare experts in Pune have come out with a book called Good Food for Kids — A Scientific Guide to your Child’s Nutrition, which will be released on Sunday.

Dr Umesh Vaidya, in-charge of the neonatal intensive care unit at the department of paediatrics, KEM hospital, said that a better understanding of junk food can help parents make a conscious decision about building healthy eating habits in children.

“Over the past few years, fast food like pizzas, burgers, rolls, wraps, vada pav, samosa, chips and soft drinks have spread to every corner of the country. Such food is served everywhere from restaurants, food malls and roadside shops to offices and canteens. But have you ever wondered why these foods are called ‘junk food’?” Dr Vaidya asked. “Junk food is ‘calorie-dense’ but ‘nutrient-poor’. Children who eat a lot of junk food may develop deficiencies of vital nutrients leading to weakness, low energy, fragile bones and sleep disturbances, among other health conditions,” he added.

The book Good Food for Kids has been jointly written by Vaidya, Krisha Krishnani, who is a parenting expert, and a team of doctors and nutritionists. Written in a simple language, it addresses the “basics of nutrition” to topics like “food habits in adolescents”.

“We have also provided 120 recipes, which are age-appropriate, easy to prepare and will strike a chord with children because of their great taste,” said Krishnani.

Nutritionists pointed out that the consequences of junk food on health are detrimental, irrespective of whether such food items are consumed occasionally or regularly. “Consumption of junk food can lead to obesity, high blood pressure, heart diseases, nutrient deficiencies, impaired digestion and oral health, depression, poor academic performance and addiction to junk food. Children who eat junk food consume extra calories, fats, processed sugars and less fiber. ‘Attractive combo meal’ of a burger, french fries and a coke provides as much as 1,000 calories and 40 grams of fat. Even if such food is consumed once a week, it may lead to 4-5 kilos of weight gain per year,” said Dr Vaidya.

“Once children step out of home, they are bound to get exposed to these junk foods. It is impossible for any parent to protect children from junk food completely,” he said, adding that one can go for healthier alternatives when dining out or preparing food at home. “We have provided several recipes and information about how, instead of buying aerated drinks, it was healthier to opt for buttermilk and juices. With so much information online, it can get confusing, especially regarding the authenticity of the information,” Krishnani added.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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