Healthy Traditions

Locally available food items that can be included as nutritious meals. Such as Tikhur, Kanda, Chironji, and Amla preserve.

— Sukhdas Mandavi · Mohla, Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chowki, Chhattisgarh

In our region, seasonal produce such as grains, pulses, spinach, and green leafy vegetables have been part of our diet, which promotes nutrition, good digestion, and immunity.

— Jagannath Baraik · Lapung, Ranchi, Jharkhand

In our village, the hukli bhaji and phinda (local vegetables) that are gathered, we should use whatever God has provided us to eat from them for nutrition to combat malnutrition.

— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Nutritious local tubers like Pitikanda, Charendakanda, and Naangalakanda, found in the forest, can be included in dishes.

— Padmalochan Majhi · Ratachua, Rayagada, Odisha

We should use nutritious foods in our daily diet that are available locally.

— SHIVRAM YADAV · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

If you prepare and eat kakara, latha, bhaja, ladu, and kake made from Mahul, your mental and physical health will remain good.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

In our region, 'Gati Kandha' is available/common. People of the past used to eat all such things, and because of that, their bodies remained healthy. Nowadays, people are consuming foods that contain fertilizers (or are chemically treated), which is causing many types of diseases to arise.

— Ram Kumari · Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

We were eating Mahul, greens, and temple-prepared food, and our health was good. Now, eating this will be good.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

Our Mahul will be available. Eating this vegetable, including its raw roots, after cooking is good for the body. Eating it fully cooked is also good. Eating raw vegetables is also good.

— Gitanjali Bhoi · Sundargarh, Odisha

We get our nutritious diet from the forest, such as Mahua fruit Doli oil in the form of fat, Kodo, Bhaddi, Kulthia, Mahua flowers, Jamun, Mahua kheer, Bhaji, etc.

— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Nutritious diet includes forest vegetables like Mocha Kolyar greens.

— Kachala Choudhary

One should include Kuri, Bajri, Kodra, Bati, and Maal in vegetarian food items because they are natural remedies and beneficial for the body's health.

— संगीता मीणा · Dachki Jaswantpura, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

Local forest produce like Kendu, Chaar, Jamukoli, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school midday meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, we do not provide packaged food and market/shop items to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

In the forest, there are many types of food, such as various nutritious tubers (kandha), which can be given during midday meals in schools and also protect against various diseases.

— Deepanjali Nayak

Mahua flowers and other foods obtained from the forest are very nutritious. Therefore, it is appropriate to include these foods in PDS or mid-day meals.

— Anjana Khadia · Sundargarh, Odisha

Local forest produce such as Kendu, Chaar, Jamu Kali, and Mahul contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, we do not include packaged food and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.

— DASHARATH SINGH · Sambalpur, Odisha

Nutritious diet from the forest: seasonal fruits, jamun, mahua, mango, charoli, jaggery, peanuts, and Shegaon vegetables.

— Surajsingh Parmar · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

Mahua was available in our area. We used to say that eating boiled mahua keeps the body healthy. Even now, if consumed after boiling, the body remains good.

— Gitanjali Bhoi · Sundargarh, Odisha

Mahul, char, and sargi have a lot of vitamins. Our bodies used to stay healthy by eating them. It would be good if the government provides food to students.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

Local forest produce like Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, Mahula contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods from the forest should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, we do not include packaged food and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Consuming Karela, Kotla, Sribala, Khadbus, and Dhavda provides many different benefits to our body.

— Devisingh Solanki · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

We used to eat Mahua before, all kinds of Mahua, Rama Mahua. Because we ate all that, our body used to stay well. If you eat that, you too will stay well again.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

The government should promote the most nutritious foods easily available in our region, such as kodo, kutki, maize, along with tur dal, gram, and horse gram lentils, and include them in PDS and mid-day meals.

— Rupesh Maravi · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Let's cultivate and eat barnyard millet, little millet, and wheat. They contain vitamins, and the body will remain healthy.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

In our forest, fruits, roots, leaves, flowers, and leafy vegetables grow naturally. There are no chemicals in them, and they are completely nutritious. It would be good to serve them for lunch.

— Paradeshi Mirdha · Sambalpur, Odisha

Local forest produce such as Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild edible greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, you don't include packaged foods and market/shop items to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Mahua is one of the most nutritious food items, which is very beneficial for our health. Along with this, coarse grains (millets) are also beneficial for health. They should be included. PDS.

— संगीता मीणा · Metali, Dungarpur, Rajasthan

Local forest produce such as Kendu, Char, Jamun berries, Sarala leaves, and Mahul contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, traditional foods like millet porridge should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, do not include packaged food and food from markets/shops to offer to guests.

— DASHARATH SINGH · Jamunkira, Sambalpur, Odisha

Kantola vegetable, which is very nutritious, is found in the forest of our village. It should be included and promoted in nutritional diets.

— Vijay kanesh · Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh

The most nutritious local food items to be included in PDS and Mid-Day Meal are pulses, as they are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and essential minerals. Additionally, leafy green vegetables like spinach, and local seasonal fruits like guava, berries, and dates should also be included as they are rich in vitamins.

— Jagannath Baraik · Lapung, Ranchi, Jharkhand

Local forest products like Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, and Mahul are rich in nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy greens and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, you do not include packaged food and items from the market/shop to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Pulses, vegetables, sweet potato, and cassava are beneficial.

— Sunita Kumari · Ghorawal, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh

Eating boiled Mahul (mahua flowers) or ladoos made from them will keep your body healthy and cure anemia.

— Laxmi Bagh · Sundargarh, Odisha

Tungemasha, potatoes, and Panikonda are all found in the forest. If Panikonda is included in PDS and mid-day meals, then children will remain healthy by getting nutritious food.

— Basanti · Dashapalla, Nayagarh, Odisha

We cultivate some nutritious food from the village itself.

— Amar Lal Dhurwey · Mandla, Madhya Pradesh

Local forest products like Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, and Mahua contain nutrients. To provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children, wild leafy vegetables and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals. During festivals, you do not include packaged food and items from the market/shops to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

Mahula is available in our area. We have a lot of Mahula, even for pimples, Mahula is present. If we make cakes or chocolates and give them to children, they will be able to eat nutritious food.

— Benedik Dungdung · Sundargarh, Odisha

Local forest Kendu, Char, Jamu Kali, Mahul are rich in nutrients. Wild leafy vegetables and traditional foods should be included in school mid-day meals to provide more nutrition for the physical and mental development of children. During festivals, you are not including packaged foods and items from markets/shops to offer to guests.

— Kumudini Chhanchan · Bhojpur, Sambalpur, Odisha

We have found Mahua. In ancient times, people used to boil and eat Lukra Mahua, and they used to get vitamins. In this era, if Mahua is eaten, the body remains healthy.

— Gitanjali Bhoi · Sundargarh, Odisha

Lentils, vegetables, sweet potato, and cassava are beneficial.

— Sunita Kumari · Ghorawal, Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh