The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad released a comprehensive guideline on how Indians should be eating clean with easily accessible resources and most importantly, what suits their body type.
- The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) works under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
- The 17 dietary guidelines include: eat a variety of foods to ensure a balanced diet; pregnant women and new mothers should have access to extra food and healthcare; ensure exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months; continue breastfeeding till two years and beyond etc.
- The NIN also prescribe general principles such as reducing consumption of salt and highly processed foods (such as packaged chips, cookies, bread, ketchup, candy, etc.).
- The guidelines say an estimated 56.4% of India’s total disease burden can be attributed to unhealthy diets.
- A healthy diet and physical activity can prevent 80% of Type 2 diabetes cases, and significantly reduce the burden of heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Healthy diets and physical activity can reduce a substantial proportion of coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension (HTN) and prevent up to 80% of type 2 diabetes.
