Increase intake of fruits, says PAU expert

Ludhiana: The department of extension education and communication management, College of Community Science, PAU, celebrated World Food Day at Rampur village in Doraha block. A total of 40 farmers and farm women attended the programme, themed as ‘Safe Food Today for a Healthy Tomorrow’. Home grown food is considered to be the safest food as it is free from bad bacteria and chemicals, experts said.
Dr Preeti Sharma, assistant professor, stressed upon the importance of home-grown fruits and vegetables in the daily diet. She emphasized the role of women as the caretaker of the family and motivated the farm women to include fruits and vegetables in the daily diet. She further encouraged them to grow fruits and vegetables at household level by adopting kitchen garden concept.
Dr Sukhdeep Kaur, assistant professor, said balanced diet includes all food groups such as cereals, pulses, fruit, vegetables and fats. Punjab villagers lack fruits and vegetables in their food that causes nutritional deficiencies like anaemia, she said. Processed and unhygienic food causes other food borne diseases, she added. In order to improve the health status, preparation and consumption of safe food is very important, she said.tnn