Are you suffering from modern malnutrition?

When we talk about malnutrition, a picture of a thin, weak and less privileged person comes to our mind.

For some weird reason, we associate malnutrition with body weight and appearance — a problem associated with a weaker economic section of society.

Once we dig deeper, we will understand that there are two types of malnutrition:

1. Protein-energy malnutrition – resulting from deficiencies in any or all nutrients

2. Micronutrient deficiency diseases – resulting from a deficiency of specific micronutrients

The second type, micronutrient deficiency, is prevalent across society and has no relation to a person’s economic condition.

Strangely, this type of malnutrition is present in almost everyone with a high BMI or overweight and obese people. We can increase our weight and still be malnourished.

When we eat food, we are more concerned about quantity and taste. So we may be getting enough calories, and a lot of times excess of it, but if the quality is not good then it does not give a feeling of satiety and that leads to over-consumption.

Most of the fast food, processed food and bakery items come in this category. Packaged juices and aerated drinks give enough calories but no micronutrients. A mug of morning tea or coffee may make us feel full and energetic but it has hardly any nutrients.

Western diet has become synonymous with lifestyle disease and there is enough research to prove it. Even the modern Indian diet is getting influenced by it and our eating and cooking habits have changed significantly.

It’s high time to go back to our roots and relearn the art of cooking and eating.

So next time you feel hungry, remember that your body may be asking for nutrients like vitamins, minerals, protein and essential fats and not a diet rich in highly refined carbs. Choose wisely.