Diversifying Indian diets - challenges and opportunities.

Abstract

Abstract This review reiterates the lack of diversity in Indian diets, especially with regard to fruits, vegetables and pulses, resulting in a deficient intake of essential micro-nutrients. It also highlights the variations in nutrient intake across the life cycle determined by gender and other socioeconomic factors and life styles. It conceptualizes that issues of production, availability, affordable access, knowledge of nutrition and a balanced diet along with awareness be simultaneously addressed to help households to diversify diets. It suggests that a comprehensive district level quinquennial diet survey be undertaken across the country to help understand food choices, preferences and intake against the backdrop of existing policies. It postulates that adult nutrition literacy should take a problem-solving approach and address both men and women. Specific suggestions include increasing productivity of pulses, access to fruits and vegetables by way of better distribution and price control, support to farming households for production of food crops, diversifying the food basket in the public distribution system, increasing allocation for fruits and vegetables in direct feeding programmes and addressing the needs of adolescent boys in Government programmes.