Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, 11 January 2023
Healthy eating is the basis of a healthy being (Authorised Image)
A must-read for all parents
Parenting has always been a tough role to play.
But with families being busier, nuclear households becoming more prevalent, parents constantly coping with the pressures of modern cosmopolitan life and our habits altering our lifestyle to make room for convenience instead of added work when it comes to our eating, sleeping and exercise patterns, health and wellness sometimes takes a backseat.
And this is more and more visible in our young ones. Constant colds, coughs, colic, fever, and viral infections are a constant trouble for all young parents and visits to the GP or the emergency room are frequent disruptions to the children’s routines.
All parents would identify with these situations, and we are constantly on the lookout for a solution, but we only end up with some short-term, quick-fix solutions in the form of medications, syrups and antibiotics.
Would it not be a relief then, to have some guidance about the core causes of your child’s health troubles and solutions to guide oneself towards well-being?
Indian Newslink had an exclusive talk with one of the leading experts on Ayurveda, Dr Ajit, who knows what parents go through and how they can navigate the path to wellness for themselves and their children along with empowering the little ones with a healthy life model.
Dr S Ajit, Ayurveda expert (Photo Supplied)
Good food and life
Dr S Ajit is a leader in the field of Ayurveda and a Panchakarma specialist, clinician and the founding patron of the Australasian Ayurvedic Practitioners Association (Australia & New Zealand) and the President of the International Council of Ayurvedic Medicine (the body outside India for creating uniform standards of Ayurveda in the West).
Dr Ajit said that while medications are a temporary solution for relief from illness, health and wellness is a life-skill with which every child must be equipped.
He said that in Ayurveda, food is consumed keeping in mind the age of the person, the seasons of the year, body composition or Prakriti, the time of the day you consume the food and the combination of various foods that are consumed together.
And while it sounds complex to navigate your way around these principles, it is rather easy once it becomes a way of living.
Dr Ajit said that it all comes down to lifestyle and diet patterns. He said that parents are the first teachers and role models for any child and they need to lead by example when it comes to eating habits. Little minds are very impressionable and would follow the elders as far as eating habits are concerned.
“To start with, a clean out of the pantry and detox of your fridge is needed. We lead a busy life but healthy food is a lot easier to plan and prepare once you have a mind switch. Do not let the brands misguide you and remember how your mother or grandmother managed the kitchen” he said.
Healthy snack Ideas for little ones (Authorised Image)
Food and Wellness
Dr Ajit helped in making a quick list for the ease of young parents and provide a starting point for their children’s wellness.
Some of those points are: (a) Avoid aerated drinks and sugary drinks and foods as they lead to mucus build-up and results in frequent colds and coughs (b) Although the Ayurvedic diet has specific guidelines for each dosha, the diet as a whole encourages eating whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes (c) Gluten-rich foods and snacks are other culprits. Switch snack time with some fruits or nuts instead (d) Try to reduce children’s consumption of tomato sauce and other processed sauces since the preservatives and high levels of concentrates make them an unhealthy choice (e) Try to switch to rice noodles instead of flour for a healthier alternative (f) Cold foods in the morning are not advised. A hot breakfast is a perfect start to the day. So, a simple switch from cold milk to warm milk would do the trick.
Dr Ajit said that parents should not feel pressured into looking for only healthy foods.
“Exposing your children to varied foods is always good and required for their social growth. You cannot restrict them from eating out or eating with their friends. I always say that rigidity is not the answer and moderation is the key. Let them experience all kinds of food but give them a solid foundation for life by incorporating healthy habits,” he said.
Indian Newslink hopes to provide more such insights on wellness and living for the benefit of our readers and to make the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda available for a better living.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink correspondent based in Hamilton.
