When you have an Obese Child

Who wouldn’t have felt sorry for Harry Potter when he ate the grape fruit quarter Aunt Petunia put in his plate? When her son Dudley attained the size of a baby whale, Petunia decided to empty the refrigerator of all Dudley’s favourites, put in fruits and vegetables instead, and decree that the entire household follow the same diet of fruits and vegetables in support of chubby Dudley.

So if you have an obese child, empty your refrigerator of everything under Category Junk. Instead, stuff it with fruits and vegetables. Stuff it with ingredients for health snacks and meals. Healthier alternatives like salads, soups, sandwiches (on wheat bread, preferably), parathas with vegetable stuffing etc are great ideas for everyone in the family. Set a rule that everyone in the family follow the same diet. You can’t have one family member eating chicken sausages when your child is on vegetables. (To get rid of the pesticides sprayed on fruits and vegetables, keep them dipped in salt water solution for at least an hour.)

Guests can be real villains when you are trying to restrict your child’s junk food eating habits. Tell them that your child’s doctor has advised against such food items. Talk to your child’s teacher to regulate his eating habits at school.

Do not starve or ridicule your child because he is obese. Talk to your child’s doctor to make sure that you are feeding him the right amount of nutrients. Do not behave as if your child’s diet plan is causing you a lot of discomfort. Think about it, and you might realize that your child’s obesity is the result of your overfeeding him.

Be patient with your obese child. Support him and help him. Take the help of a professional counselor; this will help your child to cope better.

How health food differs from junk food

Your body needs a good mix of foods. If you eat healthy foods, you are most likely to be healthy.

What is a Junk Food?
Junk food is an empty calorie food. These foods have little enzyme producing vitamins and minerals and contain high level of calories from fat. Any food that has poor nutritional value is considered unhealthy. A food that is high in fat, sodium, and/or sugar is known as a junk food.

• Most processed foods – which generally contain sugar, salt and fat
• Fatty foods like butter, cream, most cheeses, fatty meat
• Sugars, Refined foods, like sugar and plain flour (maida) based items
• Sugary foods like cakes and candies
• Food containing additives and colourings
• Fats & Hydrogenated oils found in cookies, chips, candy bars, fried foods
• Sugary or diet soda drinks
• Salty foods
• Fast food and takeaways

The Healthy foods are:

• Almost anything fresh is a good start.
• Oily fish
• Vegetables, particularly orange- or dark green ones
• Fruits
• Oats and other fiber-rich grains
• Pulses (beans, peas)
• Certain vegetable oils which are high in monounsaturates

Soup is at the heart of good food and good nutrition - and the heart of Knorr. Soup naturally enjoys a healthy nutritional profile, can help you increase your daily consumption of vegetables and will help you look good, feel good and keep fit. Did you know, for instance, that people who eat more soup tend to have:

• A lower Body Mass Index
• Lower fat intake
• Lower energy intake per day
• Better cholesterol values
• Better nutritionally balanced breakfasts, lunches and dinners           

Soup is a nourishing dish offering an almost primitive comfort.