Beware of Samosa and Jalebi For Good Health

In a diverse country like India, where the aroma of Samosa and the sweetness of Jalebi attract people at every corner, these tasty dishes are now becoming a danger signal for health. Deeply connected to our traditions and food habits, fried and excessively sweet items like Samosa, Kachori and Jalebi have now become the main cause of diseases like obesity, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Due to these reasons, realizing the need to start an awareness campaign across the country, Janjagrati Abhiyan has been started. This effort being made towards reducing the consumption of fried dishes is commendable and is a call for revolution in view of the increasing health concerns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for reducing the consumption of oil and sugar under the Fit India campaign. With the activeness of the Central Government, just like there is a health warning on cigarette packets, a similar warning will be issued about these oily and sweet food items. It is being widely publicised through radio and other TV channels that one should stay away from consuming oily or excessively sweet foods.

The shocking facts related to the serious condition of obesity and other incurable diseases are worrisome. Health experts consider sugar and Trans fat to be the main causes of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. 1 out of every 5 people in India is obese, and the main reason behind this is excessive fried food. India ranks second in the world in terms of obesity. According to WHO, the number of diabetes patients in India can reach 13.4 crores by 2045, which will be the highest in the world? A major reason for the increasing obesity rate in children is things like samosas, kachoris, and burgers available around schools. Things like samosas and kachoris are fried again and again in the same oil, due to which Trans fat and carcinogenic elements (acrylamide) start growing in them. These harden the arteries of the heart and increase cholesterol. Jalebi is dipped in thick sugar syrup, which immediately increases the amount of glucose in the body. This condition invites diseases like insulin resistance, type-2 diabetes and fatty liver. Excessive use of refined flour is made in samosas and kachoris, which slows down digestion. This causes disorders like gas, constipation, acidity and obesity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has from time to time not only inspired the countrymen for social and economic development, but has also called for adopting a healthy lifestyle. Recently, taking an important initiative, he has appealed to the countrymen to reduce the amount of oil in food items and avoid serious health problems like obesity. Reflecting on this increasing health problem, Modi said that we have to change our eating habits. Less oil, less salt and less sugar - this is the key to health. Modi's call is - Reduce oil, make life healthy. Because excess oil is not healthy, it is the gateway to disease. Remember, obesity is increasing in the country and awareness against it is also increasing. It has also been said that people can help in making India developed by reducing oil in their food. In this context, if samosas, jalebis and other dishes that are harmful to health have been officially targeted, then it is not surprising but a great need of the hour.

Oil is an integral part of Indian kitchens. But today, the way excessive oil is being used in every dish, obesity has become a major health problem in India, it has encouraged many other diseases and has given rise to a health crisis. Fried foods like samosa, kachori, pakoda, puri, jalebi, fast food, etc. are becoming the cause of diseases like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes. Central health institutions have been instructed to put up clear 'oil and sugar warning boards' in cafeterias and public places. These informative posters will highlight the amount of fat and sugar in very popular foods. The time has come to discourage fried and sugar-rich foods. It should start with the careless restaurants running in hospitals. It is necessary to hang this warning on all restaurants and sweet shops. It is not that people will stop eating samosa or jalebi, but they will become aware. Cardiologist Dr. Bimal Chhajed has achieved remarkable success by effectively treating heart patients through the 'Zero Oil' diet system for the last three decades. While presenting the formula for a healthy lifestyle, the Prime Minister has appealed to the public to use limited oil and fry, boil or steam food instead of frying. To increase physical activity, do yoga, pranayam, walking or exercise daily. Stop junk food at home; give children fresh fruits, dry fruits, sprouted grains. Fight habits, not diseases. Control in diet is the biggest treatment. Therefore, preventive measures are necessary. Recently, every person has been appealing to reduce the consumption of oil in their food by ten percent. Some people must have moved towards improvement and now when there will be warnings on food items like samosas and jalebis, the pace of improvement in diet will get further stronger. The 'Fit India Movement' started under the leadership of Modiji is not just a campaign, but a message of lifestyle. This is a revolutionary step taken towards freeing the country from the burden of diseases. In this movement, people are being made aware that only a healthy person can build a prosperous nation.

The Fit India campaign needs more honesty and at the same time, the government departments responsible for pure food will have to be more alert and cautious than honesty. Today, many types of foreign dishes are also available in the markets; most of these dishes have dangerous use of refined flour, oil, artificial colors and chemicals. It should not seem at all that only Indian dishes are being targeted. The second important thing is that both the eaters and the cooks have to wake up. The repeated use of the same oil and the use of bad or wrong ingredients at many sweet shops should stop immediately.

Today, there is a need that we should not just become slaves of taste, but listen to our body. A responsible society is the one that hands over healthy habits and not diseases to the next generation in the name of taste. A generation is being prepared, which is sacrificing health for taste. This is not a warning, but a message of consciousness that if we do not improve now, then the coming generations will continue to struggle with diseases. So come, let us all pledge that we will reduce oil, increase walking, and make life long and healthy! The government will have to make strict provisions especially for businessmen, restaurant owners and confectioners. Those who play with the health of the country in the pursuit of earning money should not be left free. When there is no guarantee of milk and cheese, then we will have to think that only warnings will not bring improvement. The departments and officials ensuring quality will have to be active on a war footing, only then will we be able to realize the dream of Fit India.

By Lalit Garg

Writer, Journalist, Columnist