Pure, Balanced Food: Secret To A Healthy Lifestyle

Farkhand Yousafzai

Islamabad: “I will be 100 years old next year and thank God I am still perfectly healthy. To this day, I do not remember ever suffering from any serious illness,” says Qadir Khan, a citizen of Hyderabad which is the third largest village of Hunza– the land of tough people.

When asked about the secret of good health and longevity, Qadir said, “I have always consumed pure foods. I remember when I was a child, when I came home from herding goats, my mother used to feed me with her own hands ‘desi ghee’, ‘lassi’, meat, vegetables, and different kinds of fruits. I have adopted the habits of pure food and drink and staying active throughout my life,” he added.

When he was in the army and came home on leave, he used to walk 70 kilometres from Gilgit to his village in 24 hours. Khan joined the United Indian Army in 1939, fought on the Japanese front in World War II, and then served in the Pakistani Army after partition.

“Until 20 years ago, I was a member of the juicing team in my area. It is our tradition to prepare a variety of delicious dishes from local dry fruits, and we use almond and walnut oil a lot. I think this is the main reason why the people of this region live longer and healthier,” Qadir Khan stated.

People who consume organic foods are healthier and live longer: Health experts

Overall, the average age in Pakistan is slightly lower than other countries in the region. According to a recent study, the average age in Sri Lanka is 77.22 years; in Bangladesh, it is 73 years; in India it is 69.96 years; in China, it is 76.91 years; in Bhutan, it is 72.17 years; and in Pakistan it is 67.48 years. Experts say the main reason for this is the region’s clean climate, pure and balanced food, and active lifestyle.

French Organisation Action Against Hunger Nutrition OfficerGulWahabYousafzai said that clean food is a guarantee of good health; it protects against chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

A person who eats good food can lead a healthy life, and it also helps prevent the development of diseases. A balanced diet low in salt and vegetables grown in indigenous ways is a good diet. There is a famous saying, “You are what you eat”. Thus, we can say that if you eat well, you will be healthy; and if you eat badly, you will be sick, Qahab added.

Rising Demand For Organic Food

Organic markets have been established in various sectors of the federal capital where indigenous and non-chemically grown vegetables, fruits, and other food products are available, and a large number of people are flocking to these markets. Organic vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, pulses, oils, herbs, cherry tomatoes, pears, banana peppers, mushrooms, organic honey, figs, and fresh cheese are available.

“The demand for organic food is increasing in Islamabad. I have been decorating a stall every week for the past three months which leads to an attractive income,”saidMeherBibi, who decorates a stall selling dry fruits and indigenous products in one such market in Sector F-7/3.

“I have also set up a stall in LokVirsa many times and now I do business in this market regularly,” Bibi added.

MeherBibitold that the number of people coming here is increasing which is proof that the trend of consuming chemical-free food is increasing among people. She has also been running an online business for the last one and a half years, and according to her, after the outbreak of the coronavirus, her business increased when doctors prescribed organic food to combat it.

FaranShoaib, who has been running an organic food business for about a year, stated that in Islamabad, there is a lot of focus on food and hygiene principles, and that is the reason why people are increasingly interested in organic foods.

Sohaibadded that people from different walks of life come to us who want to improve their diet. We sell vegetables and fruits that are 99 per cent chemical-free and grown using purely indigenous and pure methods.

I always used pure food; that’s why I am perfectly healthy even at the age of ninety: said Qadeer Khan

Being an agricultural country, Pakistan is becoming a favourable country for setting up new industries. The mild climate, fertile land, and agro-economic history of this place can play an important role in the expansion of this industry.

It should be noted that the concept of organic foods is limited only to the rich class, even in big cities. The main reason for this is a lack of awareness and economic conditions. Pure products are available in these markets, but due to their high cost, they are beyond the purchasing power of the common man.

JunaidQureshiopine that it is good to have organic food markets in the city, but the vegetables and fruits found here are very expensive. “I think this industry is still for the rich class; the poor man is not getting any benefit from it,” he added.

Importance Of Organic Foods

Nutritionist Professor Dr Zaheen Anjum informed that since organic foods are prepared in natural ways, they contain all the necessary nutrients. The use of such food increases immunity, reduces the risk of suffering from any disease, and increases the possibility of longevity. That is why its use is very important for good health.

A healthy diet prevents chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer: Gul WahabYousafzai

Dr Zaheen further said that the common mistakes made by others must also be taken into account. Often, we skip breakfast in the rush to deal with work, which is a big mistake. Breakfast gives the body energy for the whole day. He added, “Make a balanced diet your routine. Eating less during the weight loss cycle is also harmful to your health.”

In an era of increasing pollution and substandard foods, the trend towards organic foods and its industry can be a ray of hope, so there is a need to take measures at the private and public levels to promote this industry.

“Vegetables and fruits are poison for human health if they are grown in unnatural ways, but if this sustenance is obtained according to the principles prescribed by God, it is an antidote,” remarked Darwish Ali, an 85-year-old healthy elder from Hunza.

According to experts, if we want to live a healthy life, then pure and balanced food should be part of our daily lives.