Take what you eat seriously, say experts at The Hindu’s webinar on nutrition

Busting myths around nutrition and eating, emphasising the importance of meal timings, giving practical tips on how to eat in an age of fast and ultra-processed food and underscoring the importance of balance and diversity: these and several other aspects were discussed at The Hindu’s webinar on ‘What, when and how we eat matter’, held on Saturday (September 6, 2025), marking National Nutritional Week.

Bhuvaneshwari Shankar, clinical nutritionist and dietician, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, one of the two panellists, told the audience that what time we ate at, was as important as what we ate. Eating on the go was a bad idea, she said. “It takes 20 minutes for the brain to give us the signal that we are full,” she said, explaining that chewing completely and taking time to eat one’s meal was important.

Highlighting the role nutrition plays in health from the womb onwards, Usha Sriram, head of diabetes and endocrinology, Tag – VHS Hospital, Chennai, the other panellist, explained the need for balanced diets during pregnancy, breastfeeding and nutritious diets for children, in order to avoid health complications and obesity in later life.

Answering audience questions, both panellists dwelled on the importance of ensuring good diets at a time when the market abounds with processed foods and work hours can be long and stressful. They spoke of the need to include fruits and nuts in the diet, especially seasonal fruits to ensure cost effectiveness, as well as the need to move as much as possible, especially for those who have sedentary jobs. “Take calls while walking,” said Dr. Bhuvaneshwari, while Dr. Usha pointed out that people who worked from home may have easy access to snacks, something to be mindful of. If outside food could not be avoided, steamed options such as idlis and momos were a little better than deep-fried, calorie-dense snacks, they said.

Busting myths around eating, the doctors said that diets that entirely eliminated carbohydrates or rapidly increased protein consumption were better avoided in favour of more balanced diets. On supplements, Dr. Usha pointed out that for people with no restrictions who had a balanced diet intake, there was no need for supplements. Getting all the nutrients needed from one’s diet was the best option, they emphasised.

Learning to cook and knowing what goes into one’s food was important, the panellists said.

The webinar was moderated by R. Sujatha, independent journalist based in Chennai.

The webinar can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/m5JSIUJI9m4