Photo: Mira Rajput/ Instagram
That said, her approach isn’t a free-for-all either
So in our house, treats absolutely have a place, but they’re positioned as part of an overall balanced lifestyle rather than an everyday expectation or a reward,” she said. “Ultimately, I want them to develop good judgment around food that they’ll carry with them, not just obedience to a set of restrictions,” she added. They need consistency, love, and a positive environment around food,” adding that parents should “zoom out and look at patterns over weeks and months rather than obsessing over any single meal or day.”
She explained that every meal has room for something wholesome, a vegetable, a lentil, a whole grain, or simply good hydration, without turning food into a source of stress. She added that good nutrition also means paying attention to what your body, and your children’s bodies, actually need, rather than chasing the idea of “ideal. “First, every meal should be balanced. I try to make sure there’s a mix of food groups on the plate rather than relying on just one thing, even on hectic days. Second, I focus on consistency over extremes… And third, hydration is completely non-negotiable for me”. Fast food, unsurprisingly, comes up often in a household with young kids. Rather than banning chips, chocolates, or fried food completely, Mira tries to keep a balance. “In my experience, the more you forbid something, the more exciting and desirable it becomes to a child… Her long-term goal isn’t obedience, but judgment. Tradition plays a big role in her kitchen too. “Some of my happiest childhood memories are tied to simple, home-cooked Indian meals, and I really want to pass that on to my children. Khichdi is probably our biggest staple,” along with ghee, seasonal vegetables, homemade curd, and lentils. So her overall advice comes down to understanding that “Children don’t need perfect meals to thrive.