‘Protein Day’ to draw public attention, raise awareness and educate India on the health benefits of protein
Right To Protein, a national-level public health campaign has launched ‘Protein
Day’ to draw public attention, raise awareness and educate India on the health benefits of protein. Globally many countries recognise February 27 as Protein Day and from this year India will also join this movement. A nationally celebrated Protein Day will encourage Indian citizens at large to learn and know more about different types of available sources of plant and animal protein and their importance in daily meals for better nutrition and health.
“Though India continues to make strides in the health sector, it is important for us to identify that one trigger of transformation that can set us on a path of long-term behavioural change towards better health,” said Dr Jagmeet Madan, Principal, Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science (Autonomous) SNDTWU, Mumbai and National President, Indian Dietetic Association.
“We need a vibrant ecosystem of nutritionally aware citizens, and the first step of starting an India Protein Day that should set us on the right path of protein sufficiency,” she added.
The theme of Protein Day 2020 is set to act as a reminder for all Indians to daily ask themselves and others – #ProteinMeinKyaHai. The key objective through the day’s activities and beyond will be to spread more knowledge about protein and bring about a behavioural change by persuading Indians to eat adequate protein in every meal – at least a quarter of a plate.
The Right To Protein campaign has also launched a lighthearted informational video which reinforces the need to include proteins in our every meal.
“We are glad to be part of the first India Protein Day, an initiative that aims to create awareness about protein and eating right in India. With this, we want to help create opportunities for championing the integration of protein sufficiency into national and local policies, programmes and projects. The idea is to encourage Indians, both urban and rural, to pay more attention to consuming adequate amounts of protein in their everyday meals,” Ramesh Khatri, President, Poultry Federation of India.