World Food Day-Balanced Diet for a healthy Population

There is a correlation between economic well-being, the food we consume and the health of the people of any nation. Sometimes even though people consume costly food items, those may not show the expected results. The caloric content of the items, suited to different types of people also must be taken into consideration, after due analysis.

On the occasion of World Food Day (OCT 16) it is appropriate to have an understanding of various food items, consumed by people such as rice, wheat, vegetables,fruits, milk, meat products.The industrialisation has lessened physical work to a large extent. It has an impact on quantity and quality of food intake.The changing lifestyle devoid of serious physical strain, also shows its effect on health; resulting in various diseases such as blood pressure, diabeties,heart problems etc.

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) releases nutritional guidelines by releasing chart which contains nutritional value of items, such as calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates present in foods etc.

The government through its various schemes such as Mid day meal to provide nutritious food in schools throughout the nation.The food supplements provide help in the all-round physical development of the children.

Experts suggest that instead of once or twice intake of food in large quantities, it is better to consume five to six times a day in lesser quantities;for better digestion.

Nowadays restriction on the sale of Junk food around the schools are imposed
to deter them from buying those. The statistical data collected by various governmental agencies such as FAO in this regard for India are also not very encouraging.