Cultural shift from junk to hygiene foods necessary for health: Nutritionists

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RAWALPINDI: The nutrition experts from the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) have called for a cultural shift from junk food to the traditional Pakistani diet as part of healthy living and to avoid gaining weight during the month of Ramzan.
They said that lack of awareness about ‘mindful eating’ reduces the lifespan whilst increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart problem and obesity. This applies to both urban and rural communities.
The month of fasting is an excellent opportunity for people to ponder over their unhealthy eating habits and switch to healthy lifestyles said Dr Sehar Iqbal, the Head of NUMS Department of  Nutrition and  Dietetic in Public Health and Nutrition and Dr Abdul Momin, Assistant Prof and Consultant Dietitian in Food and Nutrition.
The cultural shift is required to increase the consumption of organic products, fruits and vegetables along with traditional drinks such as lemon and ‘ lassi’ in place of junk food and fizzy drinks, emphasized Dr Sehar Iqbal.
Olive oil is the best option for cooking while ‘ Desi Ghee’ (clarified butter), for being non-processed, is far better than other cooking oils available in the market. People should use vegetables, fruits, pulses and salads to keep at bay many health problems.
Dr Sehar added we do not realize eating habits have a medical cost and we compromise our health by consuming fried, junk and processed food. Thus, it is necessary to create awareness in society about a nutritious diet. Those who want to control their weight during Ramzan should avoid refined sugar, and limit sodium intake. Instead, they should add fiber-rich foods to their diets, plan physical activity for at least 30-45 minutes per day and control their portion size.
Hydration is another important factor in relation to weight loss during Ramzan, she added, hence, people should drink plenty of water, at least 8-10 glasses per day.

To reduce the content of refined sugar, they should consume food that is rich in natural sugar such as fruits, dried fruits, and honey, said Dr Sehar.
Dr Abdul Momin, the consultant nutritionist, added that clinical nutrition plays a key role in improving any medical condition by modifying and managing diet.

He said diabetic patients and those suffering from hypertension could fast but only after consulting their doctor.  Communicable and non-communicable diseases can be prevented or managed well by adopting the preventive approach.
Dr Momin also advised that education and awareness are two key approaches to preventing diseases. He emphasized the need for including health prevention and nutrition in the national curriculum. Health is the state of physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease, he added, for instance, it was necessary to accord top priority to the health of people at the national level for creating awareness
The role of the media is critical in promoting a balanced diet which will help to lessen the disease burden on the health facilities of the country.
Diabetes had already burdened the health facilities which would further increase if requisite steps were not taken to reverse its upward trend. Presently, it is estimated that 25 percent of the population suffers from diabetes which is expected to double in the country by 2050 if proper measures are not taken. APP