Metabolic diseases are on the rise in the country and it is time we modify our meals to suit our daily routines. Dietitian Dr Preeti Shukla stated this while addressing a seminar son, ‘Metabolic syndrome and prospects of being a nutritionist’ at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya on Tuesday. She spoke on having balanced diet that can supply all nutrients to the body.
“The number of cases of metabolic diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are rising even in young age groups and it is time we take requisite measures before onset,” Preeti said. She suggested exercise for this as it improves insulin resistance and reduces chances of diabetes.
“We feel that being skinny is a sign of being healthy but that is not true. One can suffer from high level of cholesterol even if skinny,” Preeti said. Low levels of vitamin D and inactivity is another major contributing factor to metabolic syndromes. In her address, she spoke about jobs undertaken by nutritionists in hospitals and food industry.
Tips to control metabolic diseases
- Have a balanced meal with a portion of protein, vegetable, salad, yogurt and carbohydrate.
- Do not have just rice-dal or sabzi-chapati.
- Having chapati and vegetable only will make meals imbalanced as they have less protein.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking and substance abuse.
- Avoid refined sugars.