DOHA: As the new academic year begins in schools, Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) has advised parents to ensure that their children eat their breakfast to get an energy-boosting start to the day, and also eat a nutritious, healthy lunch.
Dr Mohamud Verjee, Associate Professor of Family Medicine at WCMC-Q, said that breakfast was an important meal that should not be skipped as it helps kick-start metabolism. Breakfast can help the body burn up to 25 percent more calories throughout the day. Ideally, it should include some fruit, some dairy like labneh and a complex carbohydrate – such as unsweetened muesli - that will provide a slow release of energy.
For lunch, Dr Verjee says the important thing is to achieve a balance of nutrients. This means that a lunchbox should contain a carbohydrate like wholemeal bread, brown rice or quinoa; a protein like tuna or beans; a dairy item like milk or cheese; plus some vegetables and fruit.
He said, “Striking a balance is the most important aspect of lunch. You have to give your children the energy they need to think and play, but you also need to provide them with the vitamins and minerals that are essential for growth and their general health.”
With diabetes and obesity at high levels in Qatar, WCMC-Q suggests that one of the best ways to combat the diseases is to encourage children and teenagers to develop healthy eating habits while they are young.
The college is running a high-profile health campaign, Sahtak Awalan – Your Health First, which is designed to change unhealthy habits into healthy ones so as to create a strong, productive and healthy population in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Under the campaign, it advises that foods like chocolate, chips and even processed meats should be eaten only as an occasional treat because of the large amount of sugar, salt and saturated fat that they generally contain. Similarly, rather than taking a can of fizzy drink - that might contain 12 teaspoons of sugar - youngsters should drink water, milk or unsweetened fruit juice instead.
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