New Dietary Guidelines Advices Restricted Sugar Intake For Infants and Toddlers
News Mania desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/16th May 2024
The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) recently released updated National Dietary Guidelines, offering comprehensive recommendations for achieving optimal nutrition and promoting a healthy lifestyle. These guidelines encompass various aspects of dietary intake, emphasizing the importance of balanced nutrition and prudent food choices to mitigate the burden of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Key highlights of the National Dietary Guidelines include restrictions on sugar consumption for infants and toddlers, emphasizing a balanced macronutrient intake, and promoting the incorporation of diverse food groups into daily meals. Additionally, the guidelines advocate for prudent protein consumption, discourage the use of protein supplements, and provide practical dietary recommendations for individuals across different age groups.
One of the noteworthy aspects of the dietary guidelines is the emphasis on limiting sugar intake for infants and toddlers until the age of two. The guidelines recommend that only 5 percent of daily calories should come from sugar, aligning with global recommendations to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy eating habits from an early age.
Moreover, the guidelines underscore the importance of sourcing macronutrients and micronutrients from a diverse range of food groups. The ‘My Plate for the Day’ concept introduced in the guidelines advocates for a balanced distribution of food groups, with vegetables, fruits, and green leafy vegetables comprising half of the recommended daily intake. Cereals, millets, pulses, flesh foods, eggs, nuts, oilseeds, and dairy products are also recommended to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
Furthermore, the guidelines highlight the significance of incorporating oilseeds and nuts into daily diets, emphasizing their nutrient density and health-promoting properties. Various seeds, including fenugreek, amaranth, flax, chia, and basil, are recommended for their beneficial effects on health and can be consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet.
The dietary guidelines also provide specific recommendations for macronutrient intake, with cereals limited to 45 percent of total energy and pulses, eggs, and flesh foods contributing to around 14-15 percent of total energy. Additionally, fat intake should be restricted to less than or equal to 30 percent of total energy, with nuts, oilseeds, milk, and dairy products contributing to 8-10 percent of total energy per day.
Despite these recommendations, the guidelines highlight disparities between recommended and actual dietary intake among the Indian population. Data suggests that cereals account for 50-70 percent of total energy intake, while pulses, meat, poultry, and fish contribute only 6 to 9 percent of total energy, falling short of recommended levels.
Dr. Hemalatha R, Director of ICMR-NIN, emphasizes the importance of promoting diverse and nutrient-rich foods to address malnutrition and promote optimal health outcomes. She underscores the role of dietary interventions in reducing the burden of NCDs and improving overall well-being.
The dietary guidelines also address the challenges posed by unhealthy dietary patterns, including the consumption of highly processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. The guidelines advocate for limiting the intake of ultra-processed foods and encourage the consumption of fresh, minimally processed foods to mitigate the risk of NCDs.
National Dietary Guidelines offer comprehensive recommendations for achieving balanced nutrition and promoting a healthy lifestyle among the Indian population. By emphasizing the importance of diverse food choices, prudent macronutrient intake, and moderation in sugar consumption, these guidelines serve as a valuable resource for individuals, families, and policymakers striving to improve public health and nutrition outcomes in India.
