New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday released dietary guidelines which provides a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing optimal health and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across all age groups throughout India.
These evidence-based recommendations highlight the importance of dietary diversity, ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients.
The ICMR disclosed that a staggering 56.4% of India’s disease burden stems from unhealthy dietary habits. In response, it released 17 dietary guidelines aimed at fulfilling essential nutrient needs and curbing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity and diabetes.
At the heart of these guidelines lies the principle of “my plate of the day,” advocating for a balanced distribution of macronutrients and micronutrients sourced from at least eight distinct food groups. Vegetables, fruits, green leafy vegetables, roots, and tubers are stressed, constituting a significant portion of the daily recommended foods.
Additionally, cereals and millets, pulses, flesh foods, eggs, nuts, oil seeds, and dairy products occupy essential segments on the plate, each contributing vital nutrients to overall health. While cereals should ideally provide 45% of total energy, pulses, eggs, and meat foods should account for around 14-15%. Fat intake should be moderated to less than or equal to 30% of total energy, with nuts, oil seeds, milk, and dairy products contributing 8-10% of daily energy intake, respectively.
Furthermore, the guidelines stress the importance of limiting added sugar, salt, and fat consumption while promoting the consumption of a diverse range of fruits and vegetables. Special attention is given to including foods of animal origin such as milk, eggs, and meat, especially for vulnerable groups like pregnant and lactating women, children, and adolescents.
In addition to dietary recommendations, the guidelines highlights the significance of regular physical activity for optimal utilization of nutrients from a balanced diet. Developed by the ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) in Hyderabad, these guidelines are both easily understandable and practical, providing a tangible roadmap towards improved nutrition and health outcomes.
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