Recent remarks by the Kerala High Court have sparked discussions about the significance of home-cooked meals, particularly for children. The court advised parents to avoid ordering food through online platforms like Swiggy and Zomato and instead encourage their children to enjoy home-cooked meals. While the context of this advice was a pornography-related case, it raises important questions about the impact of food choices on health.
We spoke to gastroenterologists and paediatricians to understand how regularly ordering food from outside can affect our health and well-being.
1. Nutritional Quality and Overeating: Dr. Lavenya R. Padmanaban, Consultant in Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, emphasizes that food from restaurants and delivery services often comes in larger quantities, leading to overeating and unnecessary weight gain. Many such foods are also high in sugar and may contain additives such as colorants, flavorings, emulsifiers, and preservatives, which enhance taste but can pose health risks.
2. Health Issues: Consuming restaurant and fast food regularly has been linked to various health problems, including dental issues, stomach inflammation, constipation, obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, unhealthy cholesterol levels, heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and an increased risk of certain cancers. The high-calorie content and unhealthy fats in such foods can adversely affect our health.
3. Gut Microbiota: Dr. Shreya Dubey, Consultant in Neonatology & Paediatrics, points out that parents have control over the ingredients in home-cooked meals, ensuring they are not high in calories or unhealthy fats that can disrupt a child’s gut microbiota. Frequent consumption of outside food, with its spices and preservatives, can negatively impact gut health and microbiota.
4. Worm Infestation: Dr. Suresh Kumar Panuganti, Lead Consultant in Pediatric Critical Care and Pediatrics, highlights the risk of worm infestation in children who do not consume enough home-cooked meals. Inadequate hygiene during food preparation or handling can lead to this common problem, which may result in anemia and, in severe cases, seizures if parasites affect the brain.
5. Food Addiction: Dr. Padmanaban adds that the combination of inexpensive ingredients like salt, MSG, and sugar makes restaurant food tastier but potentially addictive. This shift towards frequently ordering food may have emotional and psychological aspects related to food addiction.
In addition to these health concerns, home-cooked meals offer the benefits of teaching children healthy eating habits, sparking their interest in food, and fostering opportunities for family bonding. While occasional dining out or ordering in can be enjoyable, prioritizing home-cooked meals not only promotes better health but also contributes to a positive food environment within the family.
In conclusion, the choice between home-cooked meals and home deliveries can significantly impact your health and well-being. Opting for home-cooked meals provides better control over nutritional quality, reduces the risk of health problems, and supports a healthier lifestyle overall. Balancing convenience with nutrition is essential for maintaining good health, particularly in children who are still developing their dietary habits.
Remember that occasional treats from outside can be enjoyed, but the foundation of a healthy diet should be built on the nutritious and wholesome meals prepared at home.