Go back to traditional & local food: Food expert

Mysore: Food expert and noted dietician Sheryl Salis said that India faces a dual problem-of malnutrition and under-nutrition on one hand and over-nutrition on the other.

Under-nutrition affects one third of the country's adults and almost every second child while on the other hand, 22 per cent of adult women  and 16 per cent of men are over weight. 

The number of obese people has doubled over a decade in India with 52 million of the population obese. India also has the second highest number of obese children in the world, she said.

Speaking at the 9th International Food Convention-IFCON 2018 hosted by Association of Food Scientists and Technologists (India) in association with CSIR, CFTRI, DRDO and DFRL, Ms Sheryl said, “Lack of protein, and malnutrition of micro nutrient, including  iron, iodine, zinc and vitamin, can lead to poor physical growth, lowered mental capacity, reduced productivity,  impaired immune systems and other health problems. 73 percent of Indian diets are protein deficit. 

India has the highest prevalence of anaemia which is 39.86 percent primarily due to poor eating habits and lack of proper health care. The prevalance of vitamin deficiency ranges from 40 perct to 99 percent.” 

She also suggested that people go back to traditional foods, eat local and seasonal food and focus on right cooking methods. 

“We must get innovative; food technologists must focus on recipes of packed foods which are cost effective nutrition packed with all the essential micro and macro nutrients, low in calories and high in nutrition, to help mothers who depend on packaged food since children are attracted to the taste,” she said.