Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced the decision of the state government to revamp the food menu in the Anganwadi centres across the state.
Now, children in the state-run childcare centres will be offered a wider variety of tasty and nutritious meals that includes egg biryani, pulao, dal payasam, soya dry curry, and nutri laddus.
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The new menu offers more delicious, diverse, and nutritious meals, aiming to improve children's health by reducing sugar and salt intake while increasing protein-rich content, Minister Veena George said.
'Milk and egg to be served three times a week'
The revised menu covers supplementary nutrition--including breakfast, lunch, and general feeding. Children will also receive traditional snacks such as kozhukkatta and ilayada, along with nutrient-rich options like wheat crumb pulao, raita, and chickpea curry on specific days. Milk and eggs, previously provided twice a week, will now be served three times a week. The new menu also includes details about ingredients and nutritional values for each dish.
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Mayo Clinic suggests guardians limit sugar, saturated fats and salt in the food offered to children. Instead, focus on a diet that is nutrient-dense. This will help kids get the necessary nutrients while limiting overall calories.
Last year, a video of a toddler from Alappuzha, requesting biryani and chicken fry instead of upma at his anganwadi went viral on social media. Netizens supported the child's request, with some suggesting that better meals should be served to children at anganwadis. Following which, the minister had promised to make changes to the menu.
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