Archive · 27 Aug 2026
How Children Could Change Eating Habits Across Indian Homes
The article says children can help families eat healthier food.
It asks parents to read the ingredient lists on packaged foods.
Parents are encouraged to choose simpler ingredients when possible.
The whole family should generally eat the same balanced meal, with small changes for a child’s taste or texture needs.
Children can help choose fruits, vegetables, grains, and other ingredients.
The article also says families should add nutritious foods instead of only banning less healthy ones.
Examples include nuts, seeds, paneer, sprouted moong, and sattu.
The author believes these changes can improve eating habits across the household.
The opinion piece urges parents to inspect ingredient lists instead of relying on packaged-food claims.
It recommends replacing ultra-processed ketchups, jams, and refined oils with alternatives using ingredients such as fruit pulp, jaggery, honey, chicory root fiber, or apple pectin.
Families are encouraged to serve one balanced meal, adapting spice or texture rather than preparing separate junk-food options for children.
The author suggests involving children in grocery shopping and food choices to encourage acceptance of nutritious ingredients.
Suggested additions include hemp seeds, sattu, flaxseeds, sprouted moong, paneer, makhanas, nuts, seeds, and local berries.
- Who
- Parents, children, and families; the recommendations are written by clinical nutritionist Sakshi Lalwani.
- What
- An opinion piece offers strategies for making family food choices and meals more nutritious for children.
- Where
- Indian homes and family kitchens.
- Why
- To encourage healthier eating habits and support children’s nutritional and metabolic health, according to the author.
- Article type
- Opinion piece
- Author
- Sakshi Lalwani, a clinical nutritionist and expert with SunBridge Consumers
- Main focus
- Using children’s nutritional needs to guide family food choices
- Packaged-food advice
- Read ingredient lists rather than relying on front-label marketing claims
- Meal strategy
- Serve one balanced family meal, with modest adjustments to spice or texture
- Suggested foods
- Hemp seeds, sattu, flaxseeds, sprouted moong, paneer, makhanas, nuts, seeds, and local berries
- Publication disclaimer
- The Quint says it does not endorse or take responsibility for the author’s views