HERE’S how you can make a good life great. Just add generous lashings of good nutrition and daily physical activity.
Before you know it, you’ll start noticing a bounce in your step and a newfound freshness that makes life all the more rewarding.
According to Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM) president Dr Tee E Siong, health and vitality stem from leading a healthy lifestyle, which — contrary to what many people think — is actually quite easy to adopt.
We only need to take small steps in the right direction, starting with what and how we eat.
Dr Tee explains: “We need good nutrition for three main reasons.
“First, it supplies energy and nutrients to keep our body systems working well.
“Second, it fuels our activities throughout the day.
“Third, it helps protect us against infections, as well as certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer.”
He adds that good nutrition needs to be balanced with daily physical activity.
“An active lifestyle helps keep our body weight under control, while improving our fitness, muscle tone and moods.
“Furthermore, it strengthens the immune system and is essential for reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
“Given all these reasons, we really should spend less time lazing indoors, and more time moving about.”
Dr Tee points to the Malaysian Dietary Guidelines (MDG) 2010 as a simple and practical guide to eating right and getting more active.
“The MDG 2010 was developed by experts participating in the Technical Working Group on Nutritional Guidelines.
“Together, they poured over international and local scientific research to formulate a set of 14 key messages, which the public would do well to practise.”
NSM has taken on the task of promoting the MDG 2010, with the support and collaboration of Nestle Malaysia.
According to Dr Tee, the society had produced and distributed a series of four leaflets elaborating on the 14 key messages earlier in the year.
NSM, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, aspires to continue promoting healthy eating and active living to all Malaysians through the guidelines.
As for Nestle Malaysia, this initiative is an opportunity to play a collaborative role in enhancing the nutrition of Malaysians through community education.
Dr Tee says: “Now’s a great time for you and your family to start putting the MDG 2010 into practice.
“But go on it at your own pace. Don’t be afraid to make one small change at a time.
“However, do not lose sight of the goal — that is, to eventually apply all the key messages each and every day.
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