Thrissur health centre uses traditional meal to teach balanced eating
Velukkara Family Health Centre in Thrissur has demonstrated healthy eating through a shared meal prepared with locally available ingredients. The programme used the healthy-plate principle, dividing food between starch, protein, vegetables and fruit, and was designed to turn nutrition advice into practical household habits.
Velukkara Family Health Centre in Thrissur has used a traditional lunch to demonstrate how locally available food can be combined into a balanced meal. The programme, called ‘Healthy Lunch – Healthy Plate’, brought participants together to prepare, portion and eat food instead of limiting nutrition advice to lectures. It was organised by medical officer Rajesh K.U.
and his team as part of the centre’s ongoing Healthy Food Habit Promotion Initiative. Participants prepared matta rice, sardine curry, pepper chicken, green gram-carrot-spinach thoran and aviyal made with ingredients including banana stem, colocasia stalk, spinach stem, beans and drumstick. A rainbow salad, pulissery, guava and watermelon were also served.
The meal followed the healthy-plate principle: one-fourth of the plate was allocated to starch, one-fourth to protein and half to vegetables and fruits. Guava and watermelon portions were measured at 100 grams each. Posters displayed the preparation methods and nutritional value of the dishes.
Organisers said the exercise was intended to help participants understand both food choices and appropriate quantities. Health Inspector C. Prasad said the initiative was significant amid concerns about lifestyle diseases including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
He said nutrition awareness becomes meaningful when it informs everyday decisions at home. Velukkara grama panchayat president Sheeja Unnikrishnan, district panchayat member Jose Chittilappilly and panchayat vice-president P.V. Satheesan inaugurated the event.
Health workers and ASHA workers are expected to help carry the message from the centre to households and the wider community.
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