Twenty-one teams put their culinary skills to test to prepare a healthy meal box for 12-year-old school-going children at a cookery competition organised by the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism of Christian Medical College, Vellore.
The cookery competition, which was held on Saturday, was in commemoration of World Diabetes Day. It was to provide an opportunity for mothers to showcase their innovative thinking to pack a healthy meal to cater to the appetite of a 12-year-old school-going child, while meeting the nutritional requirements too, according to a press release.
A healthy lifestyle was the first step towards preventing and managing diabetes and many other health problems. Healthy eating habits begin at home, and must include whole, minimally processed nutritious food derived from plants such as vegetables, whole grains, legumes and fruits. There should be a balance of low fat, moderate protein, restricted carbohydrate, high fibre, with adequate minerals and vitamins, the release said.
With childhood obesity also contributing to diabetes, the cookery competition was organised with the aim of creating awareness among home makers and encouraging their creativity.
The first prize went to the team of Sharon and Nandini for preparing “Frittatas”, a snack made of mushroom, egg, capsicum, spinach and milk. The second prize went to Vinod Kumar for preparing multi-grain “chappati” and carrot chutney, while the third prize was shared by two contestants – Roseline Raj and Anita for preparing ‘‘Kofta stuffed with vegetables, fruit salad with beetroot roll and cabbage stuff roll respectively.
Other recipes that were prepared during the contest included plantain pith, vegetable “pulao” and apple “raitha”, “paneer” fingers, fruit and nut rolls, banana smoothie and Kancheepuram “idli” made of raw rice, parboiled rice with green and red chutney, the release said.
