Participants learning how to prepare healthy meals under Program Generasi Sihat at Dewan Serbaguna PJS 2C/6 in Petaling Jaya. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/ The Star
THE importance of proper nutrition is often overlooked by some parents when preparing meals for their children.
For Intan Shahira Zulaikha, this realisation hit home during a community initiative aimed at reducing malnutrition and stunted growth among preschool children while enhancing the nutritional intake of entire families.
“I learned a lot about nutrition and what is and isn’t healthy for kids through this programme.
“This is a great initiative because it allows us to be hands-on and learn alongside our children,” she said of Program Generasi Sihat (PGS), an initiative by Persatuan Martabat Untuk Semua Petaling Jaya that was held at Dewan Serbaguna PJS 2C/6 in Petaling Jaya.
The programme brought together parents, children and teachers from Tabika Kemas Sri Melati and highlighted the benefits of healthy eating through the theme “Eat Right, Live Great!”.
The lead for PGS, April Chang, said the hands-on programme aimed to give the community a chance to come together, have a great time and learn about healthy eating choices.
Chang hopes that the pilot programme will inspire lasting changes in behaviour that will help children reach their full potential and reduce the risk of chronic diseases later on in life.
One of the programme’s highlights was a sharing session led by Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) paediatrician Dr Jasmin Syuhada.
She shared with parents the importance of tracking their children’s growth and also introduced the “Quarter, Quarter, Half” concept for balanced meals.
The concept refers to the recommended portions on a plate – a quarter of protein, a quarter of carbohydrates and a half portion of vegetables and fruits.
“We want to ensure children are growing at a healthy rate and that balanced nutrition becomes part of the family routine,” said Dr Jasmin.
The programme concluded with a food demonstration led by a nutritionist from the Taman Medan health clinic, Shankry Seenivasagam.
She and her team demonstrated the preparation of three kid-friendly recipes filled with vegetables, which included egg sandwiches, chickpea and orange salad as well as plain yoghurt with chopped fruits.
Shankry encouraged parents to involve their children in meal preparation to foster healthier eating habits.
“Parents should eat healthily together with their kids and engage more with them, especially in food preparation,” she said.
