AT a time when there is a controversy going on the quality and safety of fast foods, the simple Indian food has been found woefully deficient in proteins. Most of the Indian meals have less proteins compared to Western ones. Even the Indian non-vegetarian meals have been found deficient on this aspect. One of the key symptoms of lack of proteins is weakness and fatigues. The epidemic of lifestyle diseases can also be addressed if the intake of proteins are increased in our daily food. This is the one main reason that Indians have poor muscle mass. Adding to the poor intake of proteins is the low awareness on the importance of meat, poultry, fish, legumes (dry beans and peas), eggs, nuts and milk and milk products. Our food has excess starch and fat but low proteins resulting into less muscle mass. But it does not mean to increase the intake of artificial mass building proteins which is commonly found among the young generations. There is a word of caution such intakes at later stage have side effects like muscles dystrophy which affects body motor coordination and even brain functioning. What is needed is a balanced diet comprising of vegetables, cereals, animal or milk products, fruits to give a better living to cope up modern day’s pressure and tension in personal and professional lives. A change in planning perspective will surely bring in better dividends especially when focus should be on health at micro level. There is a need for concerted effort from state as well as Central Govt to proactively mount an advance action plan to create an awareness among the masses for better food habits and health concerns especially for the expectant mothers and infants who are the most vulnerable segment of the society.
