Have you ever imagined how your life would be if there were not any food? It’s no secret that we will not be able to survive for very long without food. Be thankful for being on Earth with an abundance of food. Food is regarded as a basic human right, but one in every nine people worldwide suffers from extreme hunger. Food was recognized as a right by the United Nations as early as 1945, which is why World Food Day was established.

Every year on October 16, World Food Day is evidenced to raise global awareness and action for those who are hungry, as well as to highlight the importance of ensuring that everyone has direct exposure to a nutritious meal. Currently, our planet produces enough food to feed every person on the planet. Even so, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted each year (roughly 20% of total food production) instead of going into the hands of the people who really need it.

World Food Day serves as a catalyst for people to get involved, minimize waste, and help millions around the world find food.

It is not about prestige when it comes to eating well; it is about personal and environmental health. Making healthy food selections is the first step toward a healthy diet. You don’t have to be a professional chef to prepare delicious, nutritious, heart-healthy meals for your family. You can grow your own vegetables and fruits in the garden, include seafood, meat, eggs, legumes (beans and peas), soy products, nuts, and seeds because all are good sources of protein. If your favorite recipe asks for fried fish or sautéed chicken, consider baking or grilling it instead.

Food is important but make sure not to forget water. Drink lots of water as it aids in the removal of waste products and toxins from our bodies, yet many of us are dehydrated throughout our lives, resulting in fatigue, poor energy, and headaches. It is easy to confuse thirst with hunger, staying hydrated will also help you make better meal choices.

Healthy eating is all about balance. Even if many of our favorite foods are rich in calories, fat, or added sweets, we can still stay healthy. The solution is to eat in moderation. Eating what we like and balance them off with healthier foods and more physical activities such as regular workouts can keep us healthy throughout.

Eating a healthy diet does not imply setting strict limitations or depriving yourself of your favorite foods. It is that we eat what we like once in a while following a nutritious and healthy meal as our regular meals. Following this method the other way round; more junk food and less healthy food is the core reason for many health issues that people in the current era face. Healthy food does not always have to be vegetables or greens, Fruits are healthy food too. Adding fruits to your daily meals could add up to the nutrition amount in a meal.

This year the theme for World Food Day is dedicated to the heroes who work hard to put food on our plates. The world is filled with food heroes – from farmers to drivers, shop workers, food banks, and government representatives – who work tirelessly to ensure that food gets from farms to our tables, in spite of numerous challenges. On this World Food Day, let us recognize their outstanding efforts.

Though we eat however we like, whenever we feel like eating, it is tragic that there are so many people who suffer from starvation all across the world.

For the people who are unable to fill their plates with food, any person who could offer them a meal will be a Food hero. So why not take this moment to be a hero to someone who’s in need of a hero in their day-to-day lives? With that in mind, let us all join hands to take part in the change to ensure safe food now for a healthy tomorrow. 

Written by Rtr. Hasini Amanda