Thread by @meghaphd

#NEP2020 position paper on health and wellbeing alleges "Given the small body frame of Indians, any extra energy provided through cholesterol by regular consumption of egg and meat leads to lifestyle disorders"
Here are the problems 1/n
🧵
thehindu.com/news/cities/ba…

Kids have different physiological needs than adults.
Protein from eggs and meat are more bioavailable.
If family eats non-veg, then these are great sources of other types of nutrients: B12, Fe, not just protein!
2/n

Cholesterol is not the body's go-to molecule for energy. It's carbs - glucose, followed by fatty acids (fasting) and then amino acids (>>>> starving). NOT cholesterol.
3/n

There is NO scientific evidence that eating a "satvik" diet is good for children's health and well being
4/n

Since this paper touts #Ayurveda. Let's be clear.
#Ayurveda has nothing against meat or eggs.
In fact, Charak samhita has shlokas about different kinds of meat.
peacock anyone?
5/n

Who makes these committees?
This one had: child psychiatrist, diabetologist, ayurveda, yoga, fitness + nutritionist.
Where is a school teacher, parent or kids?
Stakeholders completely missing!
6/n

Because this consultation is used by NCERT to frame curriculum, this paper is crucial. Nutrition is a life long subject. Cannot start with misinformation right from school.
7/n

Public health nutritionists please speak out on the egregious nutrition related comments on health & well-being position paper.
National school curriculum at stake here
dsert.kar.nic.in/nep/11_Health_…
@PMenonIFPRI @shwetaPHN @sethi_vani @sakie339
8/n