Cultural shift from junk to traditional cuisines, necessary for nutritious diet during Ramzan: say NUMS nutrition experts.

RAWALPINDI -- The nutrition experts of the National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) have called on Friday for a cultural shift from junk food to traditional unprocessed Pakistani cuisines and drinks for ensuring a healthy diet and avoid gaining weight during the month of Ramzan.

They said that lack of awareness about 'mindful eating' among people residing both in urban and rural areas, reduce the life span of their families while increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart problem and obesity. The month of fasting provides them an opportunity to ponder over their unhealthy eating habits and switch to healthy life style, said Head of NUMS Department of Nutrition and Dietetic Dr Sehar Iqbal PhD in Public Health and Nutrition and Assistant Prof and consultant Dietitian Dr Abdul Momin, PhD in Food and Nutrition while dilating on benefits of nutritious diet.

'Cultural shift is required to use healthy diets and drinks through reverting people choices to organic products, fruits and vegetables and use of traditional Pakistani drinks like lemon and 'lassi' by abandoning the consumption junk food and fizzy drinks', said Dr Sehar Iqbal. The role of the media is critical in promoting a balanced diet which will help to lessen disease burden on health facilities of the country.

Olive oil is the best option for cooking while 'Desi Ghee', (clarified butter) being non-processed, is far better than other cooking oils available in the market. People could use vegetables, fruits, pulses and salads for a healthy life style and keep at bay many health problems.

'We do not realize our eating habits have a medical cost and we compromise our health by consuming fried, junk and processed food', so it is necessary to create awareness in the society about a nutritious diet, said Dr Sehar.

She added those who wanted to reduce weight during Ramzan 'must avoid refined sugar, limit sodium intake, add fiber...

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