Education on food and nutrition in schools will bring about a change in the eating habits of children. Engaging children in simple cooking and making them understand the basics of nutrition at young stage will be a healthier step to life-long healthy living habits.
These suggestions were highlighted at Healthy Kids–Healthy Future, a programme organised by Mary Matha College in Periyakulam to mark the International Chefs Day recently.
In his special address, Chef M.S. Raj Mohan said that the use of home grown vegetables and locally available ingredients in daily diet would make the food healthy. Nutritious and well-balanced food was essential for daily life. Food education in schools, including awareness of nutrient values of food, would certainly bring about the desirable change in the eating habits of children.
Madurai GRT Regency Executive Chef R.N. Shrinath said that aspiring chefs must possess values.
Later, student chefs demonstrated the preparation of different healthy food items using chick peas, groundnuts, vegetables and fruits to children. Later, they assisted budding chefs in the preparation of food items.
The chefs prepared a variety of traditional Tamil food items like vazhaipoo vada, drumstick soup, vegetable rice and vazhaithandu poriyal, using locally grown vegetable and ingredients.