Velukkara health centre in Thrissur serves up a lesson in healthy eating

A traditional lunch spread prepared at Velukkara Family Health Centre in Thrissur under ‘Healthy Food Habit Promotion’ Initiative to promote. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A lunch spread featuring matta rice, sardine curry, pepper chicken, vegetable dishes, aviyal, salad and fresh fruit turned into a practical lesson in balanced eating at the Velukkara Family Health Centre. Instead of confining nutrition advice to awareness classes, the health centre brought participants around a common table to prepare, portion and eat a healthy meal as part of its ‘Healthy Lunch – Healthy Plate’ initiative.

The programme, initiated by medical officer Rajesh K.U. and team, sought to demonstrate how a nutritious, balanced and affordable meal can be created from locally available ingredients — and how mindful portioning can be incorporated into everyday food habits.

The initiative is part of the health centre’s ongoing ‘Healthy Food Habit Promotion Initiative’, following the earlier ‘Healthy Snacks & Drinks’ programme. The latest programme seeks to take nutrition awareness beyond classrooms and lectures by allowing participants to experience the preparation and consumption of a balanced meal.