Need stressed to promote traditional food

UAF VC says parents should make sure their kids are fed homemade dishes

FAISALABAD: The promotion of traditional food, seasonal fruits and vegetables are essential to fight the daunting issue of malnutrition as it has affected more than 45% of the people in the country, said University of Agriculture Faisalabad Vice Chancellor Dr Zafar Iqbal Randhawa.

He was addressing the inaugural session of a two-day seminar titled sensitisation seminar on nutrition for media, academia, and students at National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology (NIFST) UAF. The event was organised by the UAF in collaboration with UNICEF and the government of Punjab.

"Most of the students don't eat their breakfast before leaving home and it causes so many health issues. Parents should make sure their children eat homemade dishes, full of nutrition and energy," said Dr Randhawa.

The vice chancellor advised students to have a balanced diet and adopt physical activities in their daily lives. He said that people should wake up early in the morning, offer prayers and exercise. "Excessive eating also leads to malnutrition and causes various health issues."

Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences (NIFSAT) Dean Dr Masood Sadiq Butt said the issue of malnutrition is worsening due to poor lifestyle. Therefore, there is a need to avoid junk food. He stressed upon the need to enhance efforts to address the issue of malnutrition and suggested food fortification to deal with the problem of malnutrition and food insecurity.

NIFSAT is introducing lassi in packing at its store to foster the trend of desi food in the youth. NIFSAT Director General Dr Tahir Zahoor said that education about nutritious and balanced food at school level will help overcome the issue of malnutrition. He said that malnutrition has emerged as the biggest problem than energy crisis.