No more fried food in the Ministry of Health canteen; This is what the menu will look like

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a wave of health awareness. All over the world, people are now more health conscious, including what they eat. It is a known fact that fried foods contain too much oil, which can increase cholesterol levels, leading to many health problems. In particular, Indian snacks also have a high level of spices, which again can cause health problems like indigestion. Realizing the importance of spreading healthy diets among the masses, India’s top health body has decided to set an example for the people of the country by following healthy diets themselves.

Believe it or not, India’s Union Ministry of Health has taken a brave step to remove all unhealthy foods from their office canteen menu. Gone are fried foods like samosa and bread pakora, and come wholesome meals like dal chilla with pea stuffing, healthy curries, millet rotis and millet pulao – all at nominal prices. Dal chilla would cost INR 10. A breakfast meal will cost INR 25, while lunch will be available at INR 40.

(Also read: Healthy snacks: 5 options for snacking without guilt)

According to sources at the ministry, this action has been taken in pilot mode as of now to see how it works and what kind of response it gets from people.

The movement is led by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya himself. In fact, he had been considering putting this into action ever since he took office and also commissioned it in October last year.

According to the ANI report, Mansukh Mandaviya is a known health and fitness enthusiast. He is often seen cycling to Parliament and following a healthy lifestyle with an active training regimen. He exercises and yoga daily and makes sure to cycle at least 20 kilometers every day.

What do you think of this decision by the Union’s Ministry of Health? We applaud him and believe he will inspire others to follow suit. Do you also want to ditch fried foods for healthier options? Here are some recipes to get you started.

(This content, including advice, provides generic information only. It does not replace qualified medical advice. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim any responsibility for this information.)