On the occasion of World Health Day on Tuesday (April 7), the theme this year being Food Safety, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has come out with a set of guidelines, with an accent on the State. The IMA guidelines will be released by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, on Tuesday.
The IMA pointed out that given the alarming increase in the incidence of lifestyle-related diseases in the State, it was high time that a radical change was brought about in the food practices of Malayalis and the levels of fat and carbohydrates in the diet were brought down to moderate levels.
The guidelines say that the accent should be in consuming balanced meals, which includes a portion each of locally available vegetables and fruits, a portion of grains and a portion of proteins, with one helping of a dairy product.
Rice servings must be reduced and instead of deep frying, the cooking method should be preferably steaming. Food once cooked should not be re-heated as far as possible. Safe and healthy food should be provided in school canteens. Water should be served in stainless steel or glassware or good quality plastic.
The IMA also suggests that the deep-fried tea-time snacks be replaced with traditional healthy steamed snacks like steamed banana, ada or kozhukkatta , or sprouts and that high calorie sugary drinks like aerated drinks be replaced with healthier lime juice, buttermilk and tender coconut water.
Restriction of salt and sugar intake, avoiding food preservatives and additives, encouraging of local farming initiatives, consumption of healthy oily fishes like sardines and mackerels and creating awareness on understanding food labelling are other suggestions put forth by the IMA in its guidelines to promote food safety.
WHO’s key facts for promoting food safety – Keep clean, Separate raw and cooked foods, Cook thoroughly, Keeping food at safe temperature, Using safe water and raw materials for cooking – should be strictly followed.
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