KVK, WYRA – NATIONAL NUTRITION WEEK – 01.09.2024 to 07.09.2024 – NUTRITIOUS DIETS FOR EVERYONE

In India, the first week of September from 1st to 7th each year is celebrated as National Nutrition Week to create awareness among the general public on importance of healthy diets, proper nutrition for upholding a healthy lifestyle along with taking adequate and timely measures to eradicate hidden hunger and malnourishment. The theme for this year 2024 is “Nutritious Diets for Everyone” to encourage people for living a healthy lifestyle using locally available and low-cost foods. It promotes diets that satisfy individual’s nutritional demands at every stage of life. People with healthy eating patterns live longer and lower the risk of serious health problems that include heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. For people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications. The three keys to optimal nutrition are balance, quality and timing. To maintain balance, eat from all or most of the food groups. Eating the right amount for carrying out daily activities, feel satisfied and energized. The benefits of healthy eating help to live longer with health skin, teeth and eyes. It supports the body muscles, boosts immunity, strengthens bones, lowers risk of lifestyle diseases, supports healthy pregnancies and breastfeeding along with normal functioning of digestive system. Kitchen gardens provide vegetables at no cost when grown in the backyards or farm bunds thereby reducing the daily food cost and also protect the environment. Fruits and vegetables grown at homes play an important role in filling the gap in nutritional needs by providing access to food that is harvested, prepared and consumed by family members. The gravity of malnutrition can be reduced as there will be a regular supply of all-essential vitamins and minerals through home grown vegetables. Millets are climate-resilient crops adapting to wide range of ecological conditions and there is need to revive the importance of millet groups as health foods to enhance nutritional security with low-cost recipes. They contain high amounts of proteins, fibre, B-complex vitamins including niacin, thiamine and riboflavin, essential sulphur-containing amino acids like methionine, lecithin and little of vitamin E. They are rich in minerals like iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium also. In this connection, KVK, Wyra scientists Dr. Jessie Suneetha W, Dr. V. Chaitanya and Mrs. P. S. M. Phanisri organised group discussions and awareness programmes at KVK, Wyra and various villages on need for incorporation of millets, fruits, green leafy vegetables and other vegetables like gourds, beet root, carrot and so on in diets. The participants were informed regarding low-cost nutritious recipes for improved health.