Gen-Y on the fast food train

Indian parents ought to be worried. Unless they take quick remedial measures of their kids' increasing fondness for junk food, convenience is likely to win over sound nutrition. According to a 2009 survey by the Diabetes Foundation of India, 68% children in the age group of 14 to 17 said they opt for junk food, because of appealing advertising campaigns, another 25% said fast food joints were happening places to hang out, while 25% said it was 'fashionable'.



In the West, state health departments have a tough battle on hand. According to a Reuters report, last year, San Francisco became the first major city to require that McDonald's Happy Meals and other restaurant meals for children meet certain nutritional standards before they can be sold with toys.

Now, a D-I-Y burger too!
If blockbuster animation movies aren't enough to woo fast-food crazed kids, eat this. Toy sections in the city's lifestyle outlets stock Play Clay sets cajoling kids to whip up movie time snacks - popcorn, fries and cola, which can be shaped with moulds provided with the kit. If you prefer an extravagant version, there are colourful, 50-piece sets where you create a gigantic fast food counter, which includes hot dogs, jumbo-sized cheeseburgers, colas, fries and shakes.u00a0 Lifestyle and weight management consultant Namita Jain says that while these toys can be fun, children must be educated about healthy food. "That's where parents step in - they need to explain the difference between moderation and going berserk," she says.

Her views are echoed by dietitian Eileen Canday, "Today, working parents find it easier to give money to kids for their lunch, instead of packing a tiffin. Also, students don't find it trendy to carry tiffins; they feel out of place," says Dr Canday. More disturbing is the trend of including fast food in the monthly household expenditure. "Kids have observed from their pre-school days that fast foods are "fine" as breakfast or lunch. This leads to an unhealthy weight gain and the child grows into an unhealthy adult."

Eat together, stay healthy
"Being overweight increases a child's risk of many diseases; not just hypertension, but also Type II diabetes, high cholesterol and sleep apnea," says Dr Canday. The solution is to involve the entire family says Dr Canday. "Limiting processed foods can help lower sodium in the diet," she adds, reminding us that ready-to-eat foods, canned foods, soya sauce, and Chinese food have a high salt content.

"You can make wholewheat pizzas with tomato pur ufffde, cottage cheese and vegetables; popcorn can be healthy, as long as it isn't smothered with butter or cheese. Instead of icecreams, try sorbets and fruit lollies," suggests Namita, emphasising on visual appeal. "It makes all the difference to kids' likes and dislikes." Dr Canday adds that for children (with no hypertension), there is no need to reduce normal salt in cooking. Instead, restrict the use of ready-made foods and monosodium glutamate (Chinese salt). Use herbs and spices to season foods instead of readymade sauces. Eating out regularly can make it difficult to stick to a healthy dietary pattern. "If the entire family initiates the change, we'll find our children growing up in a healthy manner," Dr Canday sums up. Not music to the ears for a certain Ronald McDonald.

5 tips to kick the fast food habit
1 Practice what you preach. As a parent, you are a role model for your child, so you must eat healthy too.u00a0
2 Keep healthy snacks at home. Boiled corn, paneer and veggie sandwiches, channa chaat and curd are some low-cal snack options.
3 Eat more fruits. Encourage children to eat fruits in between meals.
4 Fix your child's weekly lunch plan in advance.
5 Plan family walks and hikes to limit television and gaming time.
Tips courtesy Dr Eileen Canday