NGO Nutrition Initiatives for Better Living

03/05/24

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The many health and nutrition programmes of NGOs, created and rolled out under the guidance of the Government of India’s overarching priorities for inclusive development, play a crucial role in the country’s growth. NGOs, through these efforts, enable both access to child nutrition, as well as empower communities to embrace healthy eating habits. This focused approach allows NGOs to work both broadly and deeply in the Indian context, providing children with nutritious meals and equipping communities to support nutrition access. What is important to note is that their nutritional programmes in India are able to focus not just on access to food, but food that is nutritious.

Understanding child nutrition

It is important to understand the difference between two terms – ‘food’ and ‘nutrition’. Simply providing children with ‘food’ is not enough if the food is not nutritious in nature. What does this mean? To understand, we must look at the building blocks of nutrition.

Take, for example, protein. Protein is the most important nutrient of all for child health and nutrition. It plays a crucial role across functions and organs. From building to repairing cells to fighting infection and building immunity, access to protein truly defines child health, Protein is also digested as an energy source, giving children lasting energy to get through a busy day of study, exercise, and fun. Common sources of high-quality protein include eggs, chicken and meat, cottage cheese (paneer), beans and lentils. Protein is also found in milk, yoghurt, and cheese, albeit in smaller quantities. This means that protein can easily be added to every meal and snack, in vegetarian, non-vegetarian, or lacto- or ovo-vegetarian diets, suiting India’s breadth of dietary diversity and cultural practices.

Carbohydrates are also important because they fuel a child’s body for an energetic day of play and study. Not all carbohydrates are the same; it is better to consume healthy carbs from starches and fibres, from whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, brown rice, oats, potatoes, peas and sweet potatoes. Fats provide energy, allow the absorption of important vitamins, and are needed for growth and brain development. Whole milk dairy, ghee, fatty fish like salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds all contain healthy fats. Calcium is key for building strong bones and teeth, and overall cellular function. This is why dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt are important.

Do not forget fibre for healthy digestion. Fibre is found in whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, fruits like berries, and veggies like carrots and bell peppers. Vitamin C promotes healing and protection of cells, and is found in oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli.

How do NGOs implement health and nutrition programmes?

Community-based nutrition centres

These centres, which today dot the country, provide children with access to nutritious meals and also supplementary nutrition, as well as diet-related health services. Created in partnership with local communities, these centres are aligned with local and cultural practices, embracing traditional foods.

Kitchen gardens

Kitchen gardens, which promote community-led farming of nutrient-rich crops and produce, serve many functions. They improve dietary diversity, make healthy food affordable and locally accessible, and help make communities resilient. Using such initiatives as launchpads, NGOs are able to hold community-level educational programmes about the importance of a balanced diet, techniques for organic farming, and the long-term benefits of sustainable food production.

Women-led nutrition outreach

Recognising the traditional role that women play as custodians of their communities’ dietary choices, NGOs empower women with knowledge and resources through nutrition awareness campaigns and establishing self-help groups. Through these steps, women are transformed into catalysts for better health for their families and communities.

Bal Raksha Bharat, also known as Save the Children, demonstrates how NGOs are able to leverage a deep understanding of child health and nutrition in their work. They collaborate extensively with government agencies, local administrations, and esteemed academic institutions to strengthen health and nutrition initiatives.

Their efforts, inclusive of strengthening health systems through service delivery, workforce empowerment, and information dissemination, are able to promote and scale community-level behaviour change that encourages the adoption of healthy practices. In 2022 alone, their health & Nutritional programmes in India have positively impacted the lives of 3.43 lakh children, and their community health camps have brought essential health services and education to even the most remote areas.

Soumi Halder

Manager-Program Campaign and Communication, Programme Support

“With over 20 years of dedicated experience in the social development sector, I am passionate about championing child rights and community empowerment through innovative communication strategies. I am Manager for Programme Campaigns and Communication with Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children)."