Importance of Rural India vis-a-vis Indian Healthcare Reforms - Dietary Guidelines for Indians

Dietary Guidelines for Indians

• Maintain a state of positive health accompanied with optimal performance in population at large.
• Ensure adequate nutritional status for pregnant and lactating mothers.
• Improve birth weights and promote growth of infants.
• Getting rid of high mortality rates with effective and timely medical management
• Children and adolescents to achieve their full genetic potential
• To achieve adequacy in all nutrients and prevent nutritional deficiency diseases.
• To maintain the health of the elderly and increase the life expectancy.
• Boosting stamina, vigour and vitality
• Improved life with quality healthcare products and services

a) Senior Citizens: For being physically active and healthy, nutritious, nutrient dense and low-fat foods are recommended.

b) Pregnancy: For maintaining health productivity, prevention of diseases and for supporting pregnancy/lactation,
nutritionally adequate diet with extra food for child bearing/rearing is recommended.

c) Adolescent: For increased spurt in growth, maturation and bone development, body building, healthy protective foods and foodstuffs rich in carbohydrates and proteins is recommended.

d) Children: For growth, development and to fight infections in children, energy, bodybuilding and protective foods are recommended.

e) Infant: For growth and achieving appropriate milestones, breast milk and energy rich foods are recommended.

Dietary Guidelines for Indians

• Nutritious and adequate diet should be judiciously consumed through a wise choice from a variety of foods that are available
• Additional food, nutritious diet and extra care are required during pregnancy and lactation.
• Exclusive breast-feeding should be practiced up to 4-6 months. Breast-feeding can be continued up to two years.
• Food supplements should be introduced to infants by 4-6 months for sustainability in the growth process.
• Both healthy and sick children and adolescents should be given adequate and appropriate diet.
• Green leafy vegetables, raw vegetables and fruits should be used in plenty.

• Cooking oils, dairy products, bakery products and animal foods should be used in moderation.
• Vanaspati, ghee, oil, butter should be used only sparingly.
• Over-eating should be avoided to prevent over-weight and obesity.
• Proper physical activity is essential to maintain desirable body weight for any individual.
• Salt should be used in moderation.
• Junk foods should be avoided at all costs
• Foods consumed should be safe, clean and free from flies. Stale food-stuffs should be discarded.
• Healthy and positive food concepts and cooking practices should be adopted.
• Food should not be overcooked or under-cooked. It should be cooked appropriately so that it is easy to digest.
• Water should be taken in adequate amounts.
• Water should be boiled or filtered before consuming for drinking or cooking purposes.
• Beverages should be consumed in moderation.
• Processed and ready-to-eat foods should be used judiciously.
• Sugar should be used sparingly.
• The elderly should eat a nutrient-rich diet to keep fit and active.

• Exercise regularly and in moderation. Over-exertion while exercising should be avoided.
• Avoid smoking, chewing of tobacco and consumption of alcohol.
• Check regularly for blood glucose, lipids and blood pressure after the age of 30 years.
• Avoid self-medication.
• Practice stress management techniques such as Yoga, Pranayama, Meditation etc.
• Immunize children and pregnant women.
• Restrict intake of preserved and processed foods like papads, pickles, sauces, ketchup, salted biscuits, chips and preserved food stuffs.
• Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits to provide adequate potassium.
• Use always iodized salt.
• Nutritious and adequate diet should be judiciously consumed through a wise choice from a variety of foods that are available.