The Dietary Unit of the NEIGRIHMS organised a one-day programme on account of National Nutrition Month 2024 celebration yesterday. The highlight of the celebration was on millets, hence the theme, “Millets – The Nutrient Packed Grains for Good Health”.
NEIGRIHMS Director Prof. Nalin Mehta, Medical Superintendent Prof. C Daniala and Deputy Medical Superintendent Dr. Caleb Harris were the dignitaries. Heads of departments and officers of the Nursing Section of NEIGRIHMS as well as students were among the attendees.
Prof. Mehta highlighted the beneficial effects of millets on human health and urged people to switch to traditional cooking methods rather than depending on unhealthy junk or processed foods.
An informative talk on ‘Millets for Good Health’ was delivered by Balasara S. Lyngdoh, the Assistant Dietitian of NEIGRIHMS, who enlightened the fact that millets were the main staple food of the State during the 19th century.
She highlighted the positive steps taken by the State government as well as various organisations to introduce back millets as part of the food pattern.
In addition, the institute organised a Recipe Writing Competition and Display Competition on cooked millets along with a display of local varieties of millets from Meghalaya as well as from the other states of the North East.
An exhibition of different millet products were also showcased in the celebration along with some millet based snacks that were given to NEIGRIHMS patients taking therapeutic diet as part of the hospital menu.
A visual display on the nutritional importance of millets was also put up by the organisers for the benefit of the patients. To further promote awareness, millet recipes folder in both Khasi and English were distributed to patients. This initiative aimed to educate and encourage healthier dietary choices through the incorporation of nutrient-rich millets.
