By promoting healthier food options, supporting education programs and improving access to credible healthcare, we can create an inclusive and health-conscious society
I asked a wayside tea stall vendor for a cup of tea without sugar. I asked a hotel owner for meals without oil and fat, and a grocer was requested for groceries with less calorie and fat content. People giggled at me for such demands, as if I were from some alien land asking for things that simply did not exist. Little did they know these were the dietary requirements of a diabetic—one among a growing population filling the coffers of pharmaceutical companies and doctors.
If sugar is indeed the main cause of diabetes, oil is anathema to cardiac patients, and salt is the enemy of those with high blood pressure, then why not ban or at least restrict their sale and consumption? Smoking, alcohol, and narcotics face similar restrictions—why not unhealthy food?
What about the dietary requirements of people suffering from these conditions? They are shunned at home and outside alike, struggling to find suitable food options in hotels, tea stalls, marriages, and social gatherings. Do they not have the right to access food that meets their health needs? This unfortunate segment of society must practically beg for food items appropriate for their condition, a scenario both frustrating and dehumanizing.
The market is flooded with substandard and adulterated products on which many businesses thrive but at the cost of public health. Meanwhile, the list of “dos and don’ts” for those suffering from lifestyle-related diseases continues to grow. This confusion is further compounded by a flood of contradictory advice from advertisers and self-proclaimed health experts.
While professional dieticians might be the ideal resource for dietary recommendations, the reality is that such guidance is rarely accessible, and the suggested food items are often unavailable in the market.
This personal account underscores the challenges faced by individuals with dietary restrictions, particularly those with diabetes, heart conditions and high blood pressure. It is astonishing that despite the rising prevalence of such lifestyle-related diseases, the availability of suitable food options remains limited. The giggles and scepticism from vendors reflect a broader lack of awareness about the dietary needs of individuals with chronic conditions.
While an outright ban on unhealthy food items may not be practical, governments and regulatory bodies can take significant steps to promote healthier alternatives and reduce the prevalence of unhealthy foods.
Some potential strategies include:
1. Stricter Food Labeling Regulations: Food manufacturers should clearly label products with nutritional information and health warnings to enable informed consumer choices.
2. Promoting Healthier Options: Governments can incentivize farmers, manufacturers, and retailers to produce and market healthier food items, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
3. Restricting Unhealthy Food Advertising: Particularly targeting children and vulnerable populations, this step could reduce the appeal and consumption of unhealthy foods.
4. Education and Awareness Programs: Public education about healthy eating, the risks of unhealthy diets, and lifestyle management can drive significant positive changes.
Professional dieticians can provide valuable personalized guidance for those with specific needs. However, public health education must bridge the gap for those without access to such professionals. Additionally, the overwhelming and often contradictory advice from advertisers and unqualified health experts highlights the need for credible, evidence-based guidance.
Ultimately, addressing the dietary needs of individuals with chronic conditions requires a more comprehensive and supportive approach. By promoting healthier food options, supporting education programs and improving access to credible healthcare, we can create an inclusive and health-conscious society.
The writer is the author of “Footprints in the Sand” and “Footprints on the Snow of Life” and is a retired Central government officer
By Peerzada Abdul Rashid
ab*****************@***il.com