Sugar Shield Initiative

Monika Asthana has always believed that healthy children are the foundation of a healthy nation. A passionate educationist and paediatric nutritionist, she combined her academic expertise — an M.Sc. in Foods and Nutrition with a B.Ed. in Education — to follow a mission much larger than herself: protecting children from lifestyle-related health risks, especially Juvenile Diabetes.

Her journey began when she witnessed the growing number of children being diagnosed with diabetes and other lifestyle disorders, many of which arise not from heredity alone but from daily habits — irregular diets, rising sugar intake, reduced physical activity, and stress. She realized that somewhere between school tiffins, junk food cravings, and academic pressures, children were losing touch with the basics of good nutrition and active living.

From this conviction was born the Sugar Shield Initiative — a preventive health movement dedicated to school children. Its core aim is to spread awareness, build practical nutrition and lifestyle education, and create healthier environments in schools and homes.

Through this initiative, Monika and her team have designed a set of well-rounded offerings:

• Child Nutrition Programs: Building nutrition awareness in children through interactive activities and fun learning methods.
• School Wellness & Awareness Programs: Helping schools adopt a holistic approach by integrating fitness, balanced menus, and health counselling.
• Nutrition Education & Workshops: Conducted for children, teachers, and parents to understand the early warning signs and management of Juvenile Diabetes.
• Healthy Diets & School Menu Planning: Practical and sustainable food guidelines to encourage balanced meals both in schools and homes.
• Community Outreach Programs: Extending awareness beyond classrooms into neighborhoods, parent groups, and local bodies.
• Lifestyle Education Through Sports and Art: Yoga sessions, dance therapy, and fitness routines that enhance both physical health and emotional resilience.

In addition to on-ground work, Monika has harnessed digital platforms to extend her voice. Through media awareness campaigns, short reels, YouTube talks, and real-life case stories on Facebook and Instagram, she reaches out to parents and teachers beyond geographical barriers, providing preventive health tips that are relatable and easy to follow.

A major focus of her training has been empowering parents and teachers. By educating them to recognize early symptoms, adopt responsive nutrition practices, and provide emotional support to children, she creates a safety net around every child — both at home and school.

Today, the Sugar Shield Initiative is more than a program — it is a movement. It’s about changing the way families and schools think about food, exercise, and lifestyle. It’s about giving children a shield they can carry with them for life — one built with awareness, good health habits, and resilience.

For Monika Asthana, every workshop, every school outreach, and every happy, healthier child strengthens her belief: Preventive education is the strongest medicine.