IDA campaign to promote healthy snacking

The Indian Dietetic Association (IDA) announced a unique initiative “The Healthy Swap” to spread awareness about healthy snacking options that can be swapped with popular and not so healthy snacks available in the market. This was done in an endeavour to improve the snacking habits of people in urban areas. As per the IDA, a recent survey by Nielsen on snacking among 30,000 people in urban areas showed that 67 per cent of Indians consume snacks instead of breakfast and 56 per cent have replaced dinner and lunch each with snacks.

Through the campaign “Healthy Swap”, health experts would reach out to people, especially collegegoing youth and those working in multinational companies, and suggest substitutes to various fast food items available in the market in order to avoid health issues.

Commenting on the IDA’s initiative, assistant professor, department of nutrition and dietetics, Mount Carmel College, Dr Geetha Santhosh said,

Healthy snacking as part of a regular a diet regime plays a vital role. In fact, it provides people another chance to get the right amount of nutrition, Dr Santosh said

“Healthy snacking as part of a regular a diet regime plays a vital role. In fact, this programme another chance to get the right nutrition. Incorporation of snacks with the right amount of nutrients essentially carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals is important.”

The key focus of the initiative was to encourage people to opt for snacks that are tasty and yet power packed with nutrients, urging the people to swap the unhealthy ones with healthier choices.

Under the initiative, the dietic association will suggest healthy alternatives to unhealthy snacks containing nutrients, such as fats, carbohydrates and minerals among others.

According to diet, nutrition and wellness consultant, Sheela Krishnaswamy, Eating healthy does not have to be difficult, it is a matter of making the right food choices.

The diet consultant said, “In my practice, I have come across many individuals who choose unhealthy snacks in the evening only because they cannot find healthier options in their workplace,

“Snacking on nuts, sprouts, fresh fruits, among others contributes to the overall nutritional requirement of nutrition, which, in turn, leads to better health,” she suggested.