Indian Dietetic Association, Bangalore Chapter, today announced a unique health initiative The Healthy Swap, to spread awareness about healthy snacking options that can be swapped with the popular not so healthy snacks, in an endeavour to improve the snacking habits of Indians in urban metros.
Looking at the current snacking trend, renowned nutritionists Dr. Geetha Santhosh, President IDA, Bangalore chapter, and Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, Mount Carmel College, Autonomous, Bengaluru, Ms. Sheela Krishnaswamy, Diet, Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, Ms. Anjana Nair, RD - From the Wellness Industry, General Manager (Transview Enterprise), Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi- Chief Clinical Dietician & Head for Apollo Group of Hospitals, Bangalore unveiled the initiative to encourage Indians to opt for snacks that are tasty and yet power packed with nutrients, urging Indians to swap the unhealthy ones with healthier choices.
Commenting on the initiative Dr. Geetha Santhosh, said, “ “In an era of fast paced life, healthy snacking as part of regular diet regime plays a vital role. In fact, snacking provides another opportunity to obtain the right nutrition. Incorporation of snacks with the right amount of nutrients essentially carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals is important. Awareness on the nutrient content of snacks with a simple act of reading nutrition information helps in making wise choices. The key to good health is well balanced meals with nutri packed snacks coupled with exercise.”
Dr. Priyanka Rohatgi said, “Healthy snacking is a great way to combat hunger in between meals. With this, untimely hunger and excess eating in the next meal can be prevented. It will thus help in managing body weight. Swapping unhealthy foods for foods that are better for you and regular exercise would go a long way in changing your lifestyle instead of going on a crash diet. Various fad diets or crash diets do not help in the long run and harm our body more than they benefit”.
According to Ms. Sheela Krishnaswamy, “Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s a matter of making the right food choices. In my practice, I 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, and so on contributes to the overall nutritional requirement, which leads to better health.”
