National Nutrition Week is celebrated from September 1 through September 7, 2022.
The foundation of a healthy body is nutrition. Through food, we try to get as many nutrients as we can. Every year, the first week of September is celebrated as National Nutrition Week. It strives to raise awareness of the value of a well-balanced diet that contains all the nutrients our body needs to maintain our general health. The Food and Nutrition Board of India, working under the direction of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, is in charge of the seven-day programme.
The focus of World Nutrition Week in 2022:
Every year, National Nutrition Week introduces several programs to target a specific issue. The topic for the prior year was “Feeding Smart, Right From Start”. This year’s topic will be focused on “Celebrating the World of Flavors.”
The History And Importance Of National Nutrition Week 2022
In 1975, the American Dietetic Association (ADA), presently known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, created National Nutrition Week. India began celebrating National Nutrition Week in 1982. During this week, the centre plans several initiatives to spread knowledge about the value of nutrition and how a healthy diet can improve overall health.
In this article, we have compiled some professional diet tips to help you meet your body’s fundamental nutritional demands in order to kick off National Nutrition Week.
Diet Tips for Optimum Nutrition
1.) Protein Rich Diet
According to expert nutritionists, 10 to 35% of the daily calorie requirements should come from protein. Indian men, on average, weigh 60 kg, while women, on average, weigh 55 kg, and both require 60 grams of protein. Hence, it is essential to consume eggs, beans, dairy, nuts, seeds, and lentils due to their high protein content.
2.) Healthy Carbohydrates
Most medical experts recommend eating starchy fruits, starchy roots like potatoes and sweet potatoes, and cereals like rice, maize, millet, wheat, and barley at least once a day to give your body energy and essential vitamins and minerals.
3.) Water
Water not only quenches thirst but also supports the majority of body processes. Along with other healthy liquids like coconut water, lemonade, and fruit juice, it is highly recommended to drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. You can also add flavour to your drinking water with herbs and spices like cumin seeds, coriander seeds, basil leaves, and mint leaves to get that additional nutritional benefit.
4.) Fresh Fruits and Veggies
Fruits and vegetables not only provide us with fibre, vitamins, and minerals, but they also provide immunity-boosting antioxidants and flavonoids that keep us healthy.
Besides a protein and carbohydrate-rich diet, we also need to incorporate some immunity-boosting foods to build our natural immunity. Mentioned herewith are the top 10 ingredients that you must add to your diet to boost your immunity.
Top 10 Immunity Boosting Food Items
1.) Ginger
This miracle herb calms down the body’s agitated Vata (air component), which may be a common concern during the rainy season. It enhances the body’s capacity for digestion, which keeps you energized. Additionally, ginger enhances the absorption and delivery of nutrients to the body’s tissues, which is essential for guarding against colds and the flu.
2.) Garlic
Another superfood from the Indian kitchen is garlic. Garlic contains antioxidant characteristics that help to improve your body’s natural immunity and speed up metabolism. The most flavorful way to eat it is to include it in regular dals and curries. Spice up soups and sauces with garlic.
3.) Mint Leaves
Although it is normally advised to avoid eating greens during the monsoon, take mint as an exception. Try incorporating mint into warm salads, room-temperature lemonades, and warming drinks since it is a natural coolant. It works as a natural decongestant to fight the flu and cold.
4.) Moong Beans
This protein-laden item is prevalent throughout the year. Your health will benefit from the proteins, vitamins, and minerals it contains, which all work to strengthen immunity, particularly during the monsoon season. It will help you attain a balanced temperament by calming the air and fire elements in your body. The best way to eat it during this season is in the form of a pancake or soup with moong as the base. Moong beans should not be consumed uncooked.
5.) Honey
Honey turns out to be a blessing for people with poor digestion. It is a quickly digestible carbohydrate that provides instant energy. Many individuals may experience stomach problems during the monsoon. However, honey can aid in recovering from all types of flues throughout the monsoon in a smooth way. To reap its advantages, consume one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and one glass of lukewarm water first thing in the morning.
6.) Jowar
Jowar is a simple carbohydrate that is high in iron, fibre, and vitamin B3, all of which are necessary for maintaining a healthy metabolism, immune system, and skin. During these cold months, you need food items that are naturally warming. You can use jowar to make porridge or Rotis.
7.) Bottle Gourd
This native Indian component is simple to digest. As a result of its high alkaline content, it helps to maintain the function of your digestive system. Having a strong stomach is extremely advantageous during the monsoon. There are a variety of ways to prepare gourds, including making poached koftas, using them in soups, using them in parathas, or simply eating them as a plain subji with chapatis.
8.) Turmeric
There is no better way to improve immunity than with turmeric. You need turmeric to ward off colds, flu, coughs, and sore throats. Gargle occasionally with salt water and turmeric. The two best uses for it are in regular cooking and in making green tea.
9.) Rock Salt
You must incorporate rock salt into your cooking during the monsoon season since it raises the pitta (fire) element in your body, which enhances digestion, which is often poor during rainy weather.
10.) Bitter Gourd
Even though it doesn’t taste particularly good, it offers a plethora of advantages. It contains a lot of vitamin C, which helps to strengthen immunity and has potent antiviral capabilities to improve one’s health.