Celebrity nutritionist of Kareena Kapoor makes a strong point about kids’ mealtime habits. Not salt, or sugar, but calls ‘this’ the main health trigger

A familiar scene that often unfolds in several homes today looks something like this: A child making a fuss about eating, throwing tantrums and suddenly the kid is given a phone or tablet to create a distraction. For busy parents, this trick can work in the short term, helping them to feed their little ones easily and saving time in the process. But this apparent practical solution can have serious effects on your child. Reason? When kids eat while watching something on the screen, they become less aware of hunger and fullness cues, affecting their relationship with food.

Unregulated screentime is a strict no for kids

This statement comes not from us, but from celebrated nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, who has worked with some prominent Bollywood stars like Kareena Kapoor. Not long ago, the health expert shared a post on Instagram, highlighting the issue.

While parents are generally of the opinion that junk food, sugar and carbonated beverages are the worst enemies of a child, they often tend to ignore that unregulated screentime is equally a culprit of poor eating habits and long-term metabolic health scares.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar)

Dangers of excessive screen time during meals

According to Healthline, several studies have shown a concerning link between increased screen time and lower diet quality. Not only that, but it also leads to a greater consumption of unhealthy foods and disordered eating. As per a study conducted in 2021, children and adolescents who actively have their eyes glued to the screen while eating were associated with an enhanced consumption of sweets and sweetened beverages, as per Healthline.

Additionally, researchers also found that unlimited screen time was directly proportional to kids eating fewer fruits, vegetables and grains, which are essential for healthy growth, gut health, stable energy levels and overall physical development. The dangers do not end here. Excessive screen usage among kids may lead to binge-eating, as seen in a 2022 review of studies.