Take traditional food to maintain sound health: Dr Khader Vali

Vizianagaram: Noted agriculture scientist and nutritionist Dr Khader Vali on Sunday called upon people to eat traditional foods. Delivering a lecture on 'Consumption of millets and other nutritious food' at Gurajada District Library Auditorium, he said the lifestyle of people has turned into ultra-modern, which is seriously affecting their health.

"The quantity of millets like pearl millets, jowar and bajra should be increased in our daily diet to keep body fit and healthy. We should give up taking tea and coffee and consume decoctions made of various leaves. Leaves of guava, mango, drumsticks, mint and coriander will increase immunity and prevent various diseases like diabetes, blood pressure, tuberculosis," he said.

Stating that he returned to India after spending many years in foreign countries only to promote traditional crops and food habits, he said, "We need not consult any doctor if we follow healthier habits.

Every leaf has its own medicinal value. So, we can prepare a diet schedule and follow it for utmost fitness. We should keep away from taking junk foods like pizzas and burgers."

Founder of Jattu Trust Dr D Parinaidu, Padma Sri Awardee P Venkateswara Rao and S Guruprasad participated in the programme. People purchased biscuits and cakes made of millets from the stalls arranged at the exhibition. Later the locals have felicitated Dr Khader Vali.