The Banyan Tree : A Textbook for
Holistic Health Practioners
APPROPRIATE
NUTRITION : ITS ROLE IN HEALTH
SUMMARY This chapter
tries to explore what is appropriate nutrition from a
holistics point of view. The basic issue in appropriate
nutrition is identified as equitable distribution of
land, water and political power. without radical land
reforms, and increase in purchasing capacity for the
poor, all other efforts to reduce malnutrition tend to be
ineffective.
We also explore the effects of development projects,
deforestation and the Green Revolution on nutrition.
Generally, the effects of these have been adverse on poor
people's food security. We identify nutritional
guidelines for the majority, who are undernourished, and
for the 5% of the population, who are affluent. Public
policy and programmes with respect to malnutrition are
briefly discussed.
In conclusion, we discuss food ideologies, food
preferences, behaviour and nutritional intake, as also
some major controversies that affect nutrition of people
adversely.
Appendices include some useful and practical nutritional
information, alternatives in farming and seed generation
practices as also moves towards more poor people oriented
forest policy, which is ultimately a nutritional and food
security issue for the poor.
This site would be best viewed on a Netscape 4.0 Gold or above and Microsoft IE 4.0 or above with screen settings of 800 x 600 and true colors option checked.
