Healthy Nutrition: Affordable Food Essay

“ What’s on your plate?” is a provocative and witty documentary produced as well as directed concerning children and food politics. The movie is about two teenagers who are exploring where they are positioned in the food chain. Safiyah, as well as Sadie, take a deeper look at New York City’s food systems plus its environment. They speak to one another as they film themselves addressing farmers, food activists, storekeepers, new friends, relatives, and their audience to get insight into what is on every individual’s plate. To understand more about the food on the plates, they set to understand the origin of the food, how it is grown, where and how long it takes, or how far it comes from. Other details include how the food is prepared, the individual responsible for preparing it, and what happens after preparation, packaging, and leftovers.

In their pursuit to understand what people are consuming, they go to supermarkets, school lunchrooms, and fast food chains. In addition to that, they also delve into innovative sustainable food system initiatives by visiting green markets, farms, as well as community-supported agriculture initiatives. They find out that the initiatives assist the poor farmers in surviving and offer inexpensive and locally-cultivated food to individuals on the consumer end, particularly to lower-income urban communities. In the film, the two girl guides are formulating compassionate and sophisticated views on their society’s status and thus inspire active engagement and hope in other individuals.

The film surprised me when I realized that individuals could afford to eat healthily without paying much since it is inexpensive. When nutrition experts suggest the foods that people need to consume to live a better life, there is always an issue about how much certain foods cost. It is understandable, and since the pandemic started, many people have lost their jobs and are struggling financially (Gupta & Bharti, 2019). It is thus important to find ways that people can still consume healthy food at a low price or affordable. This would help convince more others as it allows an individual to eat healthily and save up more money, which people could use for other things.

The issue of obesity is among the top problems affecting many individuals in the world. Individuals in the medical field have tried to ensure that patients of various conditions, especially obesity, learn about eating healthy. Those who have improved on the kind of food they consume have managed to get better and defeat obesity (Gupta & Bharti, 2019). However, a group of individuals has not succeeded in their quest to defeat the condition. Through the film, Sadie and Safiya give us the blueprint of how individuals can deal with the issue of obesity and other conditions related to unhealthy eating. Another lesson is that people do not explore other ways of dealing with their issues.

Some markets can offer the right foods at a considerable price. Such information is important in the hospitality career because whatever someone is cooking and serving others will impact their health (Dietz & Santos-Burgoa, 2020). Having an individual who consumes food today and never comes back because they fell sick or developed a condition is not right. It is better when the food has a positive impact on the health of an individual. Therefore, finding markets that sell good quality food at an affordable price is the key to ensuring that I sustain customers for a longer time.

Dietz, W., & Santos-Burgoa, C. (2020). Obesity and its implications for COVID-19 mortality . Obesity (Silver Spring), 28 (6), 1005. Web.

Gupta, R., and Bharti, S. (2019). A healthy diet from sustainable food systems is not affordable: our reminder to the Lancet Commission. RUSS J. Health Sci, 4 (1), 3-4. Web.

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Nutrition Month Theme 2023: “Healthy diet, gawing affordable for all!”

  • Mark Pere Madrona
  • April 21, 2023
  • Department of Education , education

Nutrition Month Theme 2023: “Healthy diet, gawing affordable for all!”

Schools across the country will be celebrating the annual National Nutrition Month or “Buwan ng Nutrisyon” this coming July. In connection with this, the National Nutrition Council (NNC) has announced that the theme for this year’s celebration is “Healthy diet gawing affordable for all!”

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page , the NNC explained that this theme highlights “the need to support efforts that will enable Filipinos to have greater access to healthy, safe, and affordable food.” The agency added that this year’s nutrition month serves as a call to action for policy-makers, program managers, and legislators to act on the following issues:

1) Increase availability of nutritious foods such as by giving subsidies, product reformulation and improved food value chains,

2) Reduce the availability of unhealthy food through taxation, restrictions on marketing and consumer education,

3) Rechannel resources to agriculture to enable access to affordable nutritious and safe food,

4) Implement the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 by scaling up food and nutrition security interventions.

The national nutrition month is celebrated every July as stipulated in Presidential Decree 491, which also mandated the creation of NNC in 1974. It must be noted that during that time, then-President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. had both executive and legislative powers.

The Department of Education is expected to release an official memorandum in the coming days or weeks pertaining to this. This post will be updated if and when that has been published.  Typically, schools organize various activities and events connected to the nutrition month including essay writing, jingle-making, as well as slogan-making contests.

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Mr. Madrona earned his master’s degree in history from the University of the Philippines-Diliman last 2020. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism cum laude from the same university back in 2010. His area of interests includes Philippine journalism, history, and politics as well as social media.

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Healthier, affordable diets for children key to national development, joint press release.

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MANILA, 6 July 2023 – During the commemoration of this year’s National Nutrition Month, the Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC) and UNICEF Philippines called for healthier and more affordable diets for children and their families. 

In the Philippines, around a third of households cannot afford healthy food for their children. The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) showed that 33.4% and 2% of Filipino households are moderately and severely food insecure, respectively. When someone is moderately food insecure, they don’t have enough money for a healthy balanced diet, while someone who is severely food insecure has gone a day or more without food. Apart from not being able to afford healthy food, unregulated and excessive marketing to both adults and children push them to choose cheaper, easier to cook yet unhealthy food.

The ENNS also reported that only 13.8% of children 6–23 months received the minimum acceptable diet for their optimal growth and development. As food prices continue to rise and economic challenges persist, making healthy diets affordable is critical to tackling malnutrition that is affecting 26.7% or 3.2 million) Filipino children. This is especially grave in regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where 39.1% children are stunted.

“When people can afford nutritious food and healthy diets, they are more likely to stay healthy, which improves productivity, educational outcomes, and overall socio-economic well-being. Adequate nutrition is crucial during critical periods like early childhood when proper nourishment supports optimal physical and cognitive development,” said Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Executive Director of NNC.

The 49th Nutrition Month carries the theme "Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All” to improve access to affordable, nutritious diets for families, especially children. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028, which will be launched during Nutrition Month, enhances its food security component by promoting consumer demand for healthy diets and strengthening delivery of interventions to improve access to adequate, age appropriate, nutrient-dense diverse, safe and sustainable diets.

UNICEF has been helping to solve the triple burden of malnutrition in the Philippines by undertaking research on children’s nutrition, strengthening nutrition interventions in communities and during emergencies, and developing policies, standards, and services that improve the availability and affordability of nutritious foods in schools and communities.  UNICEF advocates for healthy food environments that can provide children with adequate diets, space to play and exercise, access to safe water, sanitation, and financial security.

“Every child has a right to adequate nutrition. Good nutrition is the bedrock of child survival, growth, and development. Children are better able to learn, play and participate in their communities and can better overcome illness and crisis if they are well nourished,” Malalay Ahmadzai, UNICEF Philippines Chief of Health and Nutrition said.

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UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.

For more information about UNICEF and its work for children in the Philippines, visit www.unicef.ph .

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Healthier, affordable diets for children key to national development

  • Govt. Philippines

essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

MANILA, 6 July 2023 – During the commemoration of this year’s National Nutrition Month, the Department of Health (DOH), National Nutrition Council (NNC) and UNICEF Philippines called for healthier and more affordable diets for children and their families.

In the Philippines, around a third of households cannot afford healthy food for their children. The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) showed that 33.4% and 2% of Filipino households are moderately and severely food insecure, respectively. When someone is moderately food insecure, they don’t have enough money for a healthy balanced diet, while someone who is severely food insecure has gone a day or more without food. Apart from not being able to afford healthy food, unregulated and excessive marketing to both adults and children push them to choose cheaper, easier to cook yet unhealthy food.

The ENNS also reported that only 13.8% of children 6–23 months received the minimum acceptable diet for their optimal growth and development. As food prices continue to rise and economic challenges persist, making healthy diets affordable is critical to tackling malnutrition that is affecting 26.7% or 3.2 million) Filipino children. This is especially grave in regions like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where 39.1% children are stunted.

“When people can afford nutritious food and healthy diets, they are more likely to stay healthy, which improves productivity, educational outcomes, and overall socio-economic well-being. Adequate nutrition is crucial during critical periods like early childhood when proper nourishment supports optimal physical and cognitive development,” said Assistant Secretary Dr. Azucena Dayanghirang, Executive Director of NNC.

The 49th Nutrition Month carries the theme "Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All” to improve access to affordable, nutritious diets for families, especially children. The Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028, which will be launched during Nutrition Month, enhances its food security component by promoting consumer demand for healthy diets and strengthening delivery of interventions to improve access to adequate, age appropriate, nutrient-dense diverse, safe and sustainable diets.

UNICEF has been helping to solve the triple burden of malnutrition in the Philippines by undertaking research on children’s nutrition, strengthening nutrition interventions in communities and during emergencies, and developing policies, standards, and services that improve the availability and affordability of nutritious foods in schools and communities. UNICEF advocates for healthy food environments that can provide children with adequate diets, space to play and exercise, access to safe water, sanitation, and financial security.

“Every child has a right to adequate nutrition. Good nutrition is the bedrock of child survival, growth, and development. Children are better able to learn, play and participate in their communities and can better overcome illness and crisis if they are well nourished,” Malalay Ahmadzai, UNICEF Philippines Chief of Health and Nutrition said.

Media contacts

Jovita B. Raval Nutrition Officer V and Chief of Nutrition Information and Education Division National Nutrition Council Tel: +63 908 820 0495 Email: [email protected]

Niko Wieland Chief of Communication UNICEF Philippines Tel: +63 917 867 8366 Email: [email protected]

Marge Francia Communication Officer UNICEF Philippines Tel: +63 917 858 9447 Email: [email protected]

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Nutrition month appeals for affordable healthy diets

essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

TAGUIG CITY – The National Nutrition Council (NNC) leads the nationwide celebration of the 2023 Nutrition Month in July, guided by the theme “Healthy diet gawing affordable for all.” The campaign calls for shared actions from various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to empower Filipinos to have greater access to affordable, safe, and nutritious food.

Surveys have shown that a significant portion of the Filipino population is struggling to have a healthy diet. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported that about 75.2 million Filipinos could not afford a healthy diet in 2020. Globally, the average cost of a healthy diet is USD

3.54 per person per day. Since 2017, the cost of a healthy diet consistently increased from Php226.60 (USD 3.84), Php236.04 (USD 4.00) in 2018, Php238.9 (USD 4.05) in 2019, and

Php242.53 (USD 4.11) in 2020. Due to food prices surge, conflicts, and climate change, the cost of a healthy diet is predicted to continue to rise for the next years.

In 2021, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that an average Filipino family of five needs to have an income of Php12,082 per month to meet their minimum basic food and non-food needs. If the cost of a healthy diet is Php242.53/person per day, a household with five members shall have a total budget of Php1,212.650/day just to have healthy meals. This may be higher for families with infants, teenagers, and pregnant as their energy and nutrient requirements are higher compared to normal adults.

Food security is an important aspect of a healthy diet as it indicates people’s capacity to access sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and satisfy their food preferences. When households become food insecure, the risk to malnutrition becomes higher.

The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey reported that 3 out of 10 households experienced moderate and severe food insecurity.

Food security is affected by uneven food prices, insufficient income, food access, and unemployment. These factors can be improved through strong collaboration between various stakeholders and scaled-up nutrition and related interventions. Thus, the 2023 Nutrition Month is

an opportunity to provide a platform for collaboration and strengthened coordination between national government agencies, non-government organizations, development partners, academe, youth organizations, and civic organizations in scaling up interventions on food and nutrition.

Anchored on the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition (PPAN), this year’s campaign intends to contribute to the achievement of the Philippine Development Plan’s goals and targets on ensuring food security and proper nutrition through production and effective supply management.

This year’s campaign aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) engage consumers to support improvements in levels of diet quality towards sustainable healthy diets; 2) generate participation of stakeholders at various levels on actions towards enabling access to affordable, sustainable healthy diets; and 3) call support for the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2023-2028 as the framework for action to improve nutrition security.

“Nutrition and food security issues in the country are very alarming and demands immediate intervention from all sectors. As we respond to these issues, we are guided by evidence-based interventions from the Philippine Plan of Action on Nutrition 2023-2028 aligned with the goals and targets of Philippine Development Plan. The PPAN 2023-2028 will be our compass, guiding us towards a future where nutrition security across all life stage is a reality for all” said NNC Executive Director IV and Assistant Secretary Azucena M. Dayanghirang.

As the country celebrates the annual Nutrition Month campaign, the NNC encourages every individual, families, and communities to support the campaign by 1) exclusively breastfeeding infants under 6 months of age and continue breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond with appropriate complementary feeding; 2) consuming fresh foods and limit those processed foods in your diets; 3) having family and community food gardens for an additional source of food; and 4) supporting our local farmers by buying produce from them.

The month-long celebration includes various activities led by the NNC Secretariat. The national launch will be held on 3 July in Tagum City, Davao del Norte; a Nutrition Month Conference on 26 July; and a culminating activity on 31 July which will be dovetailed with the National Launch of the PPAN 2023-2028.

NNC calls for all its stakeholders to support the campaign through policy issuance, dissemination of key messages, attendance to NNC-led activities, the conduct of fora and webinars on a healthy diet and aligning investment plans and action plans with the new PPAN for LGUs. Presidential Decree 491 in 1974 declared July as Nutrition Month.

For more information about the 2023 Nutrition Month, visit the National Nutrition Council website (www.nnc.gov.ph) and Facebook page.

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Living More, For All: Cultivating an Affordable Healthy Lifestyle in the Family

The new generation of Filipino families is becoming more practical, especially with the rising cost of living. Nowadays, they find it much better to make everything cost-effective, including their meals. While this is a more sustainable and innovative choice, some families sacrifice their overall nutrition to keep things on a budget.

That is why, in keeping with this year’s celebration of Nutrition Month, with the theme “Healthy diet gawing affordable for all!” the National Nutrition Council (NNC) wants to spread the message that every Filipino family should have greater access to healthy, safe, and affordable food. The theme also emphasizes making food commodities more stable and sufficient for every household.

A healthy lifestyle should not drain the family’s bank account. That is why Santé, a premier natural health and wellness product and service provider, supports this year’s Nutrition Month campaign by sharing a helpful guide on how you and your family can cultivate a healthy lifestyle on a budget.

Prepare home-cooked meals with affordable but nutritious ingredients. While home-cooked meals are typical in Filipino households, you may sacrifice the meal you prepare because of the need for more time and resources. You may cook fried, processed food (e.g., hotdogs, longganisa, tocino, noodles, etc.) and canned goods. But there will always be more accessible, affordable, and healthier meals that you can prepare. You can start by exploring healthy dishes with cheap ingredients like ginisang ampalaya , stir-fried tofu with eggplant, tinolang isda , monggo with malunggay , and more.

Shop smarter and healthier. The local wet and dry market will be your best friend if you want your family to keep things on a budget. You can buy everything in bulk and get enough fresh produce to sustain your family for at least two weeks. Stop buying frozen goods and opt for whole foods such as grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables, which are usually affordable and nutritious.

Regarding grocery shopping, look for promos and discounts and buy generic brands to stretch your budget further. Consider buying in bulk for non-perishable items like grains, nuts, and seeds.

Invest in and explore health and wellness resources. Nutrition doesn’t always come from food; it also comes from the vitamins and nutrients you and your family can take. Always make sure that you set aside a budget to sustain your family’s daily vitamins. And don’t forget to go for generics.

You can also substitute other daily drinks with healthier ones. For instance, Santé offers a variety of healthy drinks, such as Santé Fusion Coffee , which can boost your family’s energy while providing fiber and protein. There’s also Santé Choco Barley for the kids to enjoy because it’s a sweet treat packed with vitamins such as A and C. And for dads, Santé Boost Coffee can improve their physical performance and is full of antioxidants because it contains Tongkat Ali.

All of these consist of Santé Barley Grass, certified organic by BioGro . That is why you’ll never doubt the nutrients and vitamins these products can give to your family.

essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

Exercise as a family. Exercise doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Look for free activities such as walking, biking, hiking, or playing in local parks. Explore workout videos or apps that offer home-based exercises without requiring expensive gym memberships or equipment. And allow your kids to play outside after school or after finishing their homework.

Remember, health and wellness should start within the family. It should be a collective effort to make everyone live healthier lives, but that does not mean it should be expensive and burdensome. 

“We believe that the journey towards a healthy lifestyle is continuous. When families start nurturing a culture of wellness, they are investing in the present and laying the foundation for a future filled with vitality and joy,” said Joey Marcelo, chief executive officer of Santé.

Santé is one of the leading global manufacturers of products with organic barley grass (certified organic by BioGro) grown and harvested in New Zealand. With its mission to help people live better lives, the company promotes, produces, and distributes premier natural health and wellness products and services. Santé reminds everyone only to buy Santé products from legitimate business owners and resellers and to report counterfeits. 

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July is Nutrition Month: Contribute to make a healthy diet affordable

E CARTOON JUL 2, 2023 (1).jpg

“Make a healthy diet affordable for all” (Healthy diet gawing affordable for all!) – so declares the theme of Nutrition Month which is held every July as set by Presidential Decree 491 in 1974 to create greater awareness on the importance of nutrition.

This year’s theme is a reminder that keeping citizens in good health requires the cooperation of all sectors of society –government and private sector, including the non-government organizations.

The activities of many groups led by the Nutrition Council of the Philippines this month will focus on the importance of nutrition to raise healthy citizens, especially the next generation of healthy Filipinos.  A healthy body nurtures a good mind for learning knowledge and skills to contribute to the country’s economic development. According to the World Health Organization, “consuming a healthy diet throughout the life-course helps to prevent malnutrition in all its forms as well as a range of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and conditions.”

A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains (at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day); less than 10 percent of total energy intake from free sugars and less than 30 percent from fats; and less than 5 grams of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day, according to the WHO.

To make fruits, vegetables and sources of protein affordable needs government action and the support of the private sector. For example, making ways to have the supply come directly from the producers can reduce prices. Also, the availability of information on creative recipes for nutritious food from the season’s abundant produce can make the Nutrition Month slogan closer to reality.

The Nutrition Month campaign’s key messages are simple: Start children on a healthy diet with exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, and continued breastfeeding up to two years and beyond with appropriate complementary feeding. Eat a variety of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, balanced across food groups, while restricting highly processed food and drink products. Nurture food gardens to be an additional source of food.  And buy from local farmers.

Highly processed food and drink products fall under “junk food” that lack nutritional value and can lead to diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Recently, the government bared plans to tax junk food and sweetened beverages which will increase prices and reduce its consumption. The Nutrition Month campaign is also calling for the “reduction of the availability of unhealthy food through taxation, restrictions on marketing and consumer education.”

“The 2021 Expanded National Nutrition Survey showed that 33.4 percent and 2 percent of Filipino households are moderately and severely food insecure, respectively. Among these, 35 percent of respondents said they have been unable to eat healthy and nutritious food for the past year. The same survey revealed that nine out of 10 across all age groups were not able to meet the 100 percent of the recommended energy intake,” according to the NNC.

The mobilization of various sectors during Nutrition Month will call attention to the need to improve interventions for food and nutrition security. It is calling on policy makers to increase the availability of nutritious foods by giving subsidies, product reformulation and improved food value chains.

If there is something you, or your organization, can do to contribute to make a healthy diet affordable, let that be your investment on the next generation.

Orane Beauty Institute – #1 Academy for Beauty & Wellness Courses in India

Orane Beauty Institute – #1 Academy for Beauty & Wellness Courses in India

Celebrating National Nutrition Week 2023: Making Healthy Eating Affordable for All

essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

Date: August 30, 2023

photo for blog titled-Celebrating National Nutrition Week 2023: Making Healthy Eating Affordable for All

India is a developing country with a huge population, and a large population is still struggling with poverty. In such a big country, the issue of malnutrition is big. Consider the following two figures:

  • According to an article published in The Hindu , one in three children (about 31%) is stunted or too short for their age in India. This is a symptom of persistent malnutrition. 
  • The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) shows that between 2015–16 and 2019–20, the prevalence of malnutrition among children under the age of five increased in India, rising from 35.7% to 36%. The study also discovered that, among children under five, the prevalence of wasting (low weight for height) increased from 17.3% to 17.8% over the same period.

These figures clearly show that   Malnutrition is a serious problem in India and is brought on by a number of variables, including poverty, a lack of access to clean water, and inadequate sanitation. 

To counter such an enormous challenge, the whole nation should come together. However, the biggest issue is that many people are not aware of this huge health issue. To overcome this obstacle, one of the steps that the government of India has taken is the celebration of National Nutrition Week. It is a time when the nation unites to celebrate the significance of proper nutrition in our lives.

 This year’s theme, “ Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All ,” underscores the importance of accessible, nutritious food for everyone, regardless of economic status or social background. 

In this blog, we will delve into why National Nutrition Week matters, explore the theme in detail, and showcase the commitment of Orane International, India’s largest nutrition institute chain, towards making affordable nutrition a reality.

The Significance of National Nutrition Week

National Nutrition Week has a rich history in India, dating back several decades. It was established to raise awareness about nutrition’s pivotal role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It was started in 1973 by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition and its role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. India observes it every year from September 1 to 7. 

National Nutrition Week is an important opportunity to educate people about the importance of nutrition and how to improve their dietary habits. The week-long event also provides a platform for government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to work together to address the problem of malnutrition in India. 

Moreover, over the years, it has evolved into a platform that encourages individuals and communities to focus on their dietary habits and overall well-being. The significance lies in its ability to remind us of the importance of proper nutrition.

Understanding the Theme

This year’s theme, “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All,” resonates deeply in a world where accessibility to nutritious food is a global challenge. Many individuals and families face obstacles when it comes to obtaining affordable, wholesome meals. We must acknowledge these challenges, as addressing them is paramount for improving dietary habits and overall health.

The theme “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All” is particularly relevant in India. Most of the people in India are poor and cannot even fulfill their basic requirements. This makes it difficult for many people to afford nutritious foods, which can lead to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

A number of challenges make it difficult for people in India to access affordable, healthy food. One challenge is the high cost of nutritious foods. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are often more expensive than processed foods, which are often high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt.

Another challenge is the lack of access to healthy food options in all parts of the country. In many parts of India, there are few grocery stores or farmers’ markets where people can buy fresh, healthy food. This means that people often have to rely on convenience stores or fast food restaurants, which offer unhealthy food options.

Finally, there is a lack of awareness about the importance of healthy eating. Many people in India do not know how to make healthy choices when it comes to food. This can lead to people making unhealthy choices that can have a negative impact on their health.

Steps That Can Help India Overcome These Challenges 

Here are the key points  that can help make healthy eating more affordable in India:

Increase the availability of Affordable, Nutritious foods

The government and private companies must support farmers’ markets and grocery stores that offer fresh, healthy food options.

Education and Awareness

Government and private entities should conduct public awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance of healthy eating. It is the need of the hour to start and implement school programs that teach children and adolescents about nutrition and healthy food choices.

Address Economic and Social Factors

There’s a compelling need to increase the minimum wage to help individuals afford healthier food options. Another measure can be to provide affordable housing to alleviate economic burdens, making it easier for people to invest in their health.

These steps will collectively make healthy eating more accessible and affordable for everyone in India. Furthermore, these efforts will result in improved health outcomes for individuals and families. By implementing these strategies, India can take significant steps toward promoting healthier eating habits and addressing the challenges associated with affordable nutrition.

Orane’s Commitment to Affordable Nutrition

Orane, a prominent nutrition institute in India, is actively participating in National Nutrition Week 2023. Our commitment to affordable nutrition shines through various initiatives and programs to educate and assist communities. Let’s take a closer look at how Orane is making a tangible difference in the field of nutrition:

The Role of Education and Training 

Nutrition education is a big tool to counter its challenges. Orane offers professional, science-backed nutrition courses to individuals to earn a living and spread the right knowledge when they turn professional. 

Various Programs 

Orane runs online programs and events like “Healthy Tuesdays” to spread awareness of the importance of nutrition. Various webinars, video materials, and text materials containing information and suggestions are available on the Orane site and on its social media. These help  viewers take steps to  make a difference in their lives in terms of health and nutrition 

Special steps

 National Nutrition Week is not just about individual change; it’s also about communities coming together for a shared cause. This week, we’ll highlight the importance of collective action and mention any events, workshops, or activities planned by us. Moreover, we will provide practical tips to our large online and offline communities on how to make nutritious eating affordable. From budget-friendly food choices to smart meal-planning strategies, these tips will empower them to take action during National Nutrition Week and beyond.

In conclusion, National Nutrition Week 2023, with the theme “Healthy Diet Gawing Affordable for All,” is a reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to nutritious food. This blog explains why and how this week is an opportunity to raise awareness about nutrition issues and how everyone has the right to an affordable nutritional diet. Orane is committed to doing its part to raise awareness about this important week. And finally, together, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a nutritious diet and lead healthier lives.

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essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

Undernutrition in the Philippines

 micronutrient malnutrition: the “hidden hunger”.

“Hidden hunger” is a form of malnutrition caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals in the diet such as vitamin A, iron, zinc, folic acid, and iodine. Because these essential nutrients are required in very small amounts, they are called micronutrients. Collectively, micronutrient deficiencies are a leading cause of intellectual disability and preventable blindness in children and death of women during childbirth. They can limit a person’s ability to learn, earn a living, or live a healthy life.

Anemia is a condition in which blood has a lower-than-normal number of healthy red blood cells, which are responsible primarily for transporting oxygen from the lungs to all of the tissues in the body. During a state of anemia, the body does not receive enough of the oxygen-rich blood it needs for normal functions. The major causes of anemia include iron deficiency, hookworm infections, vitamin A deficiency, and malaria infections. Other notable causes include chronic infections, such as tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus, and genetic defects, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease. The most common type of anemia is iron-deficiency anemia, which results from a lack of iron in the body and is caused by blood loss, insufficient dietary intake, or poor absorption of iron from food. The consequences of iron deficiency and anemia can be dire, including impaired neurocognitive function in children, maternal mortality, and decreased work capacity in adults. Low birthweight, preterm birth, perinatal mortality, and neonatal mortality have been associated with maternal anemia.

In the Philippines, the most recent available data on anemia—the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS)—show that this marker of nutritional deficiency is still alarmingly high (FNRI 2019): 38 percent of infants 6–11 months old (down from 48 percent in 2018), 26 percent of children 12–23 months, 20 percent of pregnant women, and 12 percent of lactating women (figure 2.9). The very high rates of anemia among infants and young children probably reflect insufficient maternal stores of iron and inadequate iron content of complementary foods given to children in the first and second years of life. Throughout the first year, children depend on the iron transferred from their mothers during pregnancy and childbirth (especially immediately prior to deliberately delayed clamping of the umbilical cord) and in breast milk. A mother’s inadequate supply of iron will affect the quality and quantity of that exchange.

essay for healthy diet gawing affordable for all

Vitamin A Deficiency

Vitamin A is an essential micronutrient that is required to maintain eye health, sustain normal cellular differentiation, develop (and maintain) the body’s resistance to infections, and produce and reproduce red blood cells. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is usually a consequence of insufficient dietary consumption of foods rich in vitamin A (such as animal products or green leafy vegetables) and is often exacerbated by illness (for example, diarrhea, measles, and respiratory infections). VAD generally results in night blindness, severe anemia, wasting, reproductive and infectious morbidity, and increased risk of mortality.

According to the 2018 ENNS, nearly 17 percent of children ages 6–59 months were suffering from VAD; among them, children ages 12–24 months showed the highest prevalence (22 percent), followed by children ages 6–12 months (18 percent). The prevalence of VAD was 3 percent among pregnant women and 2 percent among lactating women. The survey also found that children with VAD were likely to be more stunted (and underweight), to be more anemic, and to belong to food-insecure households; they were less likely to have received their biannual vitamin A supplements than children who were vitamin A sufficient.

Activity No. 1

After reading the article from Undernutrition in the Philippines: Scale, Scope, and Opportunities for Nutrition Policy and Programming of World Bank Group , try to answer the following guide questions .. Read the direction on how to answer the dynamically updating site of the Padlet below.

Guide Questions:

What are the causes and consequences of micronutrient deficiencies, also known as "hidden hunger," and how do they impact individuals' overall health and well-being?

What are the major causes of anemia discussed in the article, and how do they contribute to the inadequate supply of oxygen-rich blood in the body? What are the potential consequences of iron deficiency and anemia on different population groups?

Based on the 2019 Expanded National Nutrition Survey (ENNS) in the Philippines, what are the prevalence rates of anemia among infants 6-11 months old, children 12-23 months old, pregnant women, and lactating women? How do insufficient maternal iron stores and inadequate iron content in complementary foods contribute to high rates of anemia in infants and young children?

How does insufficient dietary consumption of vitamin A-rich foods, worsen by illnesses such as diarrhea, measles, and respiratory infections, lead to vitamin A deficiency (VAD)? What are the associated health outcomes and risks of VAD, and what are the prevalence rates of VAD among different age groups and pregnant/lactating women according to the 2018 ENNS in the Philippines?

Direction: To type your answers on a dynamically updating Padlet site, follow these steps:

Create or join a Padlet : If you haven't already, create a new Padlet or join an existing one by following the provided instructions.

Locate the input area : Click the plus (+) sign begin typing your answer using your keyboard. You can type as you would in any regular text editor.

Typing your answer : Type your name on the "Subject" area, then start typing you answer in each guide question.

Review and edit your answer : Before submitting your answer, take a moment to review it for any errors or changes you want to make. Then, click "Publish" to submit your answer.

Confirm your submission : After clicking the submit button, verify that your answer has been successfully submitted. It should appear on the Padlet page along with any other previously posted answers.

References:

MBUYA, N. V., DEMOMBYNES, G., PIZA, S. A., & ADONA, A. V. (2021, June 15). Undernutrition in the Philippines: Scale, Scope, and Opportunities for Nutrition Policy and Programming. Retrieved from ReliefWeb: https://reliefweb.int/attachments/713a6ef2-1152-3b24-aa37-d02e880286a6/9781464817014.pdf  

Home / Essay Samples / Food / Healthy Food / The Importance of a Healthy Diet

The Importance of a Healthy Diet

  • Category: Food
  • Topic: Dieting , Healthy Food

Pages: 1 (518 words)

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