National Nutrition Week - 2012

Sheela Paul and Manonmani
-Dietitians



National Nutrition Week is celebrated from September 1 to 7 every year. Nutrition is the focal point of health and well-being. In other words, it allows you to be strong, provides you with the energy to do the things you want to do, and makes you look and feel your best.

Battling hypertension, cancer, diabetes, a weak heart or kidneys ? Right nutrition plays a key role.

For a strong, healthy body and a happy mind, nutrition plays a pivotal part ,not just as prevention, but as a tool for speedy recovery as well.


The theme for this year is ‘On the steps of nutrition lies the emancipation of the next generation - This is our vision and conviction’. The theme intends to address malnutrition and to generate awareness to tackle the problem through the existing health care delivery system by formulating strategies, policies and plans of action, thereby improving the nutritional status of the community.

Today, there is a wealth of nutrition information at the finger tips — from diet books to newspaper articles, everyone seems to have an opinion about what one should be eating.

The underlying objectives behind this nation- wide celebration are to create awareness among the general public, especially mothers, regarding the importance of food and nutrition in our day to day life thereby improving the Nutritional Status of the people. The programme also highlights the efforts of the Government to improve the Nutritional Status of the people.


The celebration during this week will include

* Exhibition on Health and Nutrition.
* Nutrition Education Demonstration programme.
* Skit/Slogan/Painting competition for schoolchildren.
* Quiz Competition for mothers and adolescent girls.
* Recipe Competition on nutritious food.

These suggestions from our diet experts will innovate the way you cook and look, health guaranteed:

Incorporate Whole Grains: There is broad spectrum of whole grains that you can choose from; brown rice, whole wheat, bulgar/ dalia (broken wheat), rye, oats, and bran. Besides fiber, your plate will provide you more Vitamin B, zinc and selenium.

Ensure a Colorful Plate: Bright richly colored fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients and antioxidants. Brightly colored foods like carrots, beetroots, green leafy vegetables papayas, mangoes, tomatoes are a good source of carotenoids, a form of vitamin A that may help prevent vision troubles, heart disease and even cancers.


Avoid Packaged and Processed Foods: Besides added salt and preservatives, you are not benefitting from any ready-to-eat meals. You are exposing your family to health barriers like hypertension, bad digestion, excess calories and malnourishment.

Cook Fresh: Fresh is best. Freshly cooked meals are the healthiest in terms of vitamin and nutrient content. Cook with seasonal, farm fresh, preferably organic produce. Frozen, canned vegetables, although still healthy, should be a last choice because many of the C and B vitamins are destroyed in the cooking process.

Don’t Throw Away the Water: All experts enforce the concept that most benefit is attained from your fruits and veggies if you eat them raw. If you cook them, choose steaming rather than boiling, so you don’t lose the vitamins in the cooking water. Diet experts are particular about reusing vegetable cooking water -- Water that remains from steaming or boiling, to retain some of the vitamins that were lost. Do not throw away water after boiling rice or potatoes/vegetables, instead use it when making gravy/dals.


Some more healthy quick tips

* Make breakfast cereal healthy with sliced bananas or almonds.
* Blend some fresh fruit, yogurt, for a wholesome breakfast smoothie.
* Cook a healthy egg by whipping chopped vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, and green peppers to an omelet.
* Enjoy a piece of fresh fruits with your lunch or as a snack.
* Add a green salad to your evening meal. Adding onion, tomato, raw mango, cabbage, cucumber, capsicum or olives can make it more interesting.
* Use loads of vegetables as a topping for easy meals. Keep some nuts handy as an energy-rich snack.
* Learn to cook healthy for your family with a wide choice of healthy recipes.

This September, try and improve the way your family eats. Encourage more nutrition -wise shopping and see the difference in self and your family’s stamina as well as endurance levels.