Parenting in the Age of Mc Donald's - Book Review

Child obesity has become a cause of concern not only in western countries but also in India. According to the author obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past thirty years. An estimated 50-70 percent of obese children will turn into obese adults. No wonders even the Indian parent is facing the dilemma as to what to give to his child to eat. During such troubling times comes the book Parenting in the age of Mc Donald’s by Tanuja Sodhi. The author herself was once the mother of an obese kid, who has now turned into a fit teenager. An entire chapter Fat boy slim, Mission Possible is devoted to her experience of raising an obese child. While coping with the obesity of her own child, she became a nutritionist. Now her writing is backed by experiences of many of her clients.

The book imparts knowledge about the essential nutrients and their sources. In the chapter the dreaded trinity Sugar-Salt-Fat, she tells us that these three elements are required for the body and they shouldn’t be completely eliminated from the plate. There are special chapters for diet during examination and what your child should eat if he/she is an athlete. What I liked about the book is that she doesn’t say that you should keep your child completely away from fast-food. Once in a while it is okay is what she says. Also while writing a book about food, the writer doesn’t forget water and exercise, and devotes one chapter each to them. This book is not only about fat children. There is a chapter for you if your child is all skin and bones. The book underlines the fact that children learn by observing. So you will have to switch to a healthy lifestyle before you inculcate good eating habits in your children.

The writing is simple and easy to relate. You can pick any chapter and read. There is no need to read the chapters in sequence. The book contains recipes to some mouth watering yet healthy snacks, plucked from various internet resources, duly acknowledged. The book also busts myths relating to food.

This simple book may solve many of your dilemmas, offer solutions and even make you creative while cooking for your child. Moreover the book underlines the fact that children learn by observing.