Food for Thought Sans Warning Tags

The next time you polish off that plate of piping hot samosas, pakoras, and start gorging on those crispy jalebis, gulab jamuns or laddoos, think about the calorie intake. Don’t ignore it. The Union Health Ministry’s recent advisory urges workplaces to display Oil and Sugar Boards. The move is aimed to promote healthier eating habits and public awareness.

Some media reports claimed that soon cigarette-style health warnings would be pasted on samosas, kachori, vada-pav, jalebis, laddoos etc. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has dismissed these reports. The Ministry clarified that the initiative is not to target street foods but to promote healthier choices in environments that shape daily routines, like office canteens and institutional cafeterias.

Sound Bites

For decades, healthy eating has been tangled in a toxic web of unhealthy food choices. It’s here that the government’s latest move feels like a step in the right direction — a subtle yet strategic nudge aimed at shaping daily food choices. “This move has the potential to create a much-needed awareness about what we eat —especially when it comes to foods that are high in saturated fats, sugar or sodium,” says Ankita Gupta, Dietician and Founder, Nutrition Matters from Delhi.

Highlighting that it isn’t about inducing fear in the populace but only serving informed choices. Ankita opines that when people get into associating certain food items as being unhealthy from a long-term perspective, they would hit the brakes and think twice before consuming. Amidst this, comes the government’s move of setting cautionary boards to inform people of their choices. Think of these as ‘Oil and Sugar Boards’ aka display boards placed around in canteens, lobbies, cafeterias or meeting rooms.

These boards seek to cover ‘health facts’ about the presence of excessive sugar or salts in food items. Ankita feels such endeavours may not stop harmful consumption over time, but serve as a definite nudge towards healthy eating.

Simple Swaps

The government’s ‘nudge’ is soft, yet powerful. The campaign is not aimed at exotic superfoods or expensive wellness trends, but at the nation’s daily eating habits. The focus? Everyday foods that are high in salt and sugar — the silent culprits behind many modern health issues!

The idea is to encourage healthier choices in places where people spend a significant portion of their time — like office canteens, public institutions, and educational campuses. But the real power of this shift lies in its potential to ripple into homes and personal lives.

Imagine reaching for a bowl of oatmeal instead of sugary cereal in the morning, or baking a tray of roasted sweet potatoes instead of grabbing a packet of fries. These aren’t radical overhauls; they’re small, sustainable swaps that can make a significant difference over time. Shweta Shah, a certified nutritionist sees this movement as a return to wisdom we’ve long known but often ignored. She says, “In Ayurveda foods that are overly fried or high in sugar are considered tamasik. They dull the senses, create lethargy, and disturb the natural rhythm of digestion.”

When consumed excessively, such foods can leave the body feeling heavy, the mind foggy, and energy levels depleted. Shweta advocates for a more balanced, mindful approach to eating. She speaks about respecting the body’s constitution (prakriti) while adhering to the principles of moderation. Shweta says, “Awareness and moderation are key.” Shweta opines that the government’s move is more in line with nityam hita aharam seveta. Shweta explains, “It means, always consume wholesome and beneficial food.”

Wise Choices

Adv. Likitha Avare, a Corporate Lawyer, says that India is witnessing a serious epidemiological transition. “While communicable diseases remain, we’re now seeing a sharp rise in lifestyle-related disorders like diabetes, hypertension or heart diseases.” Likitha opines that the setting up of cautionary boards would help promote public health. She compares this to growing initiatives like Yoga Day and the Fit India Movement. Likitha quips, “This action matters, as it targets a daily habit- eating.”

While samosa and jalebi-rabri may be culturally loved snacks, they are high in trans fats, sugar, salt and refined oils. They are major contributors to obesity, cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes.

Aashna Jain, a Legal Strategist, says, “The Government and Judiciary both, have been taking active steps in promoting health largely.” She cites a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) filed by a Pune based non-profit organization. The petitioner here claimed that there should be warning labels to indicate sugar, salt and saturated fats levels.

Aashna explains, “It was in furtherance of this, that the Supreme Court gave directions to the Central government to update food labelling norms.” Aashna opines that such initiatives would help prevent misleading claims and promote healthy choosing.

Mindful Eating

In a world driven by unhealthy fast food options and insta mixes, the government’s eat healthy ‘nudge’ comes at the right time. It isn’t about vilifying our favourite foods or erasing culinary traditions but about knowing when and how much to indulge. It’s about making informed choices, one bite at a time!