Make Fish an Important Part of a Balanced Diet: Senior Fisheries Officer Tejinder Kaur
Fish Rich in Protein, Vitamins and Minerals Beneficial for a Healthy Lifestyle
Need to Further Promote Fish Consumption in Punjab
Rupnagar, September 23: Senior Fisheries Officer Tejinder Kaur said that a balanced and nutritious diet is the foundation of a healthy life, and including nutrient-rich food items in the daily diet is important for overall well-being. In this regard, people are being encouraged to adopt fish as a nutritious and affordable source of food.
According to the Punjab Fisheries Department, fish contains protein, vitamins and minerals that are essential for human health. She said that people are being encouraged to include fish in their regular diet. As highlighted in the awareness material, fish is a source of protein as well as nutrients such as vitamins A and D, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids.
The Senior Fisheries Officer said that including fish in a balanced diet along with cereals and other food items can enhance the nutritional value of meals. Central fisheries-related guidelines also identify fish as a nutritious source of animal-based protein and link the fisheries sector with food and nutrition security, income generation and employment.
Tejinder Kaur said that consuming fish provides the body with several essential nutrients. Fish is also highlighted as a food beneficial for heart health, with potential benefits in reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Other aspects highlighted include support for digestive health, eye health and the immune system. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are also considered important for overall health.
She further said that awareness material also draws attention to the potential benefits of fish consumption in areas related to managing mental stress, supporting health in asthma-related conditions, cancer-related risks, immunity and joint health. These potential health benefits, she said, should be understood in the context of a balanced diet and an overall healthy lifestyle.
The Senior Fisheries Officer said that the Punjab Fisheries Department has also highlighted that fisheries are not only a source of nutritious food but also an important means of agricultural diversification, income generation and self-employment. The department is promoting fisheries through extension services, various government incentive schemes and financial assistance programmes for fish farmers.
She said that according to the information presented in the awareness material, more than 50 per cent of India’s population consumes fish, while in some states the figure is reported to be above 90 per cent. In comparison, fish consumption in Punjab is reported to be below 20 per cent. Therefore, creating awareness among people about the nutritional importance of fish and encouraging its inclusion in a balanced diet is important in the state.
She appealed to people to make a balanced diet, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle part of their daily routine, and to include nutritious food sources such as fish in appropriate quantities in their diet.
The message “Eat fish regularly, stay healthy” seeks to create awareness about nutritious food and encourage people to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
