KARACHI, Jan 26: People indulging in frequent and heavy intake of meat have been advised by doctors and scientists not to forego the strongly recommended intake of fruit, vegetables and cereals.

They reminded that unhealthy eating habits, with absolute disregard to a balanced diet, comprising only a little portion of meat and dairy products, have already crept into our society, pushing Pakistan to a situation, registering a constant surge in non-communicable diseases, including coronary heart diseases, diabetes, cancers, high blood pressure arthritis, asthma or varied digestive ailments.

Dr Rashida Ali of the HEJ Research Institute stated that unbalanced diet, unhygienic conditions, adulteration, lack of physical activities and contamination of food are the main causes for most of the human sufferings.

However, Dr. Obaid Qureishi, a senior family physician commented, that animal protein is beneficial for growing children and that kids upto age of two could and should be provided with fat and protein rich food, but once attaining age of two or a little above, their fat requirements must be preferably met through unsaturated fat.

This was said to be in the backdrop of the fact that nutritional status of the body plays a pivotal role in fighting against minor, as well as chronic diseases.

While there are multiple factors that govern the process of achieving the optimal nutritional health the nutritional care itself is based on maintaining a balance between energy intake and energy output, where required total caloric consumption is essential. -APP