Lankans consume less fruits and vegetables

by L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Sri Lankans should eat more fruits and vegetables said Agriculture Development Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. D.B.T. Wijeratna.

He said that a survey has revealed that the intake of fruits and vegetables by the Sri Lankans is not sufficient. The World Health Organization has recommended an average of 400 grams of fruit and vegetables a day by a person. Sri Lankans, it has been found eat less than 150 grams of fruit and vegetables, he said.

Dr. Wijeratna said that people should eat more fruits and vegetables such as mango, jack, rambutan, guava and plenty of vegetables grown in the village in preference to popular carrots, beetroots, leeks, beans, apple and grapes. Rural Sri Lanka has enough nutritious fruits and vegetables, he said.

Meanwhile Agriculture Development Ministry has launched a program to popularize indigenous fruit and vegetables among the schoolchildren, he said.

The people fall victim to non-communicable diseases such as diabetics, cancer, high blood pressure and heart ailments due to not taking sufficient quantity of fruits and vegetables, he said.