I confirmed Ministry of Health Residents stress the importance of following a healthy and balanced diet as one of the most important pillars of maintaining public health and preventing diseases, noting that proper nutrition plays a pivotal role in reducing malnutrition diseases such as wasting, stunting, and vitamin and mineral deficiency, in addition to reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
The Ministry explained that malnutrition may lead to delayed growth in children and a lower level of academic achievement, stressing the necessity of adhering to healthy eating habits from a young age.
The Ministry advised citizens of the need to diversify daily food groups, so that half of the plate contains vegetables and fruits, and a quarter of it contains grains, with a preference for whole grains such as whole wheat, brown rice, and oats, in addition to allocating the last quarter to various protein sources such as low-fat meat, poultry, fish, and legumes, with the importance of eating fish twice a week to obtain omega-3 acids.
She also stressed the importance of including low-fat dairy products or their alternatives fortified with calcium, reducing sugar consumption to less than 10% of total calories, and limiting salt intake to no more than 5 grams per day.
The Ministry stressed the need to drink sufficient amounts of water, rely on home-prepared food to reduce harmful fats and sugars, and use vegetable oils such as olive oil instead of saturated fats.
She warned against excessive consumption of fast food, soft drinks, and processed meat, noting the importance of adhering to the rules of personal hygiene and food safety while preparing and preserving food.
At the conclusion of its statement, the Ministry of Health and Population recommended not to use nutritional supplements except under medical supervision, to avoid any side effects and ensure the desired health benefit.
