I seek an apology beforehand, if I err and tread on sensitive or too personal precincts. Don’t know if I alone or many others share with me this bit of worry and bit of sadness which erupts at times, looking at the way our children are growing up here???

A friend’s child weighs well over ninety kg and is in Class X. He looks too huge and broad and is visibly uncomfortable with the body that he must live with and take with him to school. He moves about with his eyes cast down, before all his friends. The effect is now also pouring on the academic performance at school. He is moody and quiet most of the times, and eats much more now- to feel better.

Well, our hearts should cringe and break into pieces, at the knowledge of what are we handing down to our children, from this young age itself. High levels of Cholesterol? Poor self-esteem? Guilt? At the age of 35-40, when we gain weight, (which some of us do, particularly after coming over here, due to limited activity) and a few friends make us feel low with their comments—we feel so miserable. And, when diseases come marching in, life is not casual and carefree easily again. And our tiny little tots are being damaged by we feeding them chips and cheese; canned juices and soft drinks; burgers, fries and pizzas and other junk. Much before their mind and body can develop to their fullest, junk is running in their veins and preventing them from thinking and performing to the optimum.

All educated and sensible parents are aware or can gain awareness of what junk food does to a human body, let alone to the tender and underdeveloped brains and bodies of our growing children. How does this junk then enter our children’s bodies? There can be two possible reasons for this: One, either we are too lazy and it is easier for us to open the pack of instant noodles or frozen fries than spend fifteen minutes in making a soup or a home-made snack. Or, the other reason could be that we want to please our children and hence, we give in to their demands and desires. Not wanting to see them crawl or cry or throw the worst tantrums, we give in. If our parents had chosen our pleasure over our pain; if they had chosen the instant easy path over the boring and difficult one—we would all be out of school and probably living aimlessly and miserably. Blood tests, visits to the dentist, medicines and stress would have become a part of our lives from age ten onwards. Yes, we are earning well and becoming prosperous and can afford regular dining out on week-ends, but their tender bodies will have to carry the fats, colours and chemicals in them. We forget that the outlets are limited. The physical exertion and activity for them and for us is limited here. For many months round the year, it is not possible to go out and play either. If the metabolism rate falls at this age, the ground is ripe for thyroid, diabetes and a range of other stressful diseases.

It is not just about obesity or feeling bad about oneself before friends but what is much more worrisome is that their immune systems are becoming collapsible. Their minds and bodies will not be able to withstand simple changes in weather or the complex changes and turbulences in their lives. Strengthening their immunity systems is our responsibility, whether they like us for that or not. What are we doing to them? Can we, who spend many precious hours surfing the net, not find out as to how the chips, colas and instant foods damage the internal systems? Even if our child is not overweight, he or she could be lacking in nourishment or be underweight, and this is also a cause of worry.

A well-educated lady here in Kuwait often aired her views in informal chats on these matters when she was expecting her baby and confidently would assert that she ‘would give the best’ to her child. A daughter was born, and after 8-9 months, there began a spree of ‘the best’ food and drinks which were fed to the little girl. The mother would make juices out of the best seasonal fruits… make healthy porridges…cook simple rice and dal in pure ghee and so on. The child was growing well. As the child began to walk and run about, it became quite a task to keep running behind the tiny toddler and protect her as well as the items in the house. The lady obviously began to feel worn out and succumbed to the short-cuts. When the little girl would cry or be restless or extra mischievous, the mother would open a chocolate or a packet of chips and the child would be very happy to sit in one place and savour the same. One day, as the baby was crying and refusing to have milk, the mother gave her a little soft-drink in a glass and from thereon, the little cute girl keeps asking for that soft drink. The size of the box of chips kept before her has become bigger. The little girl, now about three years old, already knows and wants ‘pizzaaa’ and many other delicious junk items. When the child is given what she wants, she eats from her own plate happily and allows her parents to have food quietly as well. Everyone is happy…

We do have demanding jobs and hectic days. There is so much to be done all throughout the day. Many worries and issues wear us out too. However, for whom are all the struggles being endured? Presumably, for living well... Fortunately, in every region of India, the cuisine includes a wide range of savouries that can be cooked in less time, using less oil and the seasonal vegetables. We belong to a country, wherein the relevance of eating according to the season and climate and according to our body type, has always been highlighted. Why then be scared of tantrums of our children? They know not what they are doing to their body and mind. The chemicals and preservatives and other hazardous ingredients in packed, canned, or instant food will not only make them weak and lazy but also usher puberty earlier. The link between junk food and aggressive behaviour among children is also well –established. It is easy to give them half a dinar and let them happily eat what they want, but it will not be easy for them to live with their under nourished bodies and weaker minds.

Ideally, after bringing a new life amidst us, we should care and nourish it with healthy food for the body and healthy thoughts for the mind. Even if our children miss out on some of the yummy traditional delicacies and stories by their Grandmas and Grandpas, we must compensate as best as we can. After giving birth to a life, it is not just a matter of responsibility, but we also love our children. Would not like to see their beautiful and tender inner beings flooded with chemicals or medicines or guilt or confusion or poor levels of confidence.

Do we have the time for them?