Vinod Jumar, Senior Health Journalist
Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026: Lecture on Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein Organised at MDNIY
New Delhi, 22 September 2026: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (Ministry of Ayush) organised the inaugural programme of the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026 today. The programme focused on promoting awareness about healthy dietary practices, dietary diversity and the importance of adequate protein intake.
A pledge to adopt nutritious dietary practices was also administered during the programme under the leadership of Dr. Jyoti Keswani, Director (Additional Charge), MDNIY, who was the Chief Patron of the event.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Jyoti Keswani highlighted the importance of Rashtriya Poshan Maah in creating greater awareness about nutrition and healthy dietary practices. She emphasised that a balanced and nutritious diet is essential for maintaining a healthy life and called for wider dissemination of nutrition-related awareness among the public.
The expert lecture on “Dietary Diversity and Adequate Protein” was delivered by Dr. Swati Jain, Scientist ‘D’, ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR). During her presentation, Dr. Jain emphasised that adequate protein intake should be viewed as part of an overall balanced and diverse diet, rather than in isolation.
She highlighted that protein plays several essential roles in the body, including tissue repair, immunity, muscle maintenance, and the production of enzymes and hormones, while supporting normal body functions. She also noted that the body continuously breaks down and rebuilds proteins, so protein requirements remain relevant even on rest days.
Referring to the ICMR-NIN Nutrient Requirements for Indians, Dr. Jain elaborated that the safe protein allowance for a healthy adult is 0.83 g per kg body weight per day when the diet contains high-quality protein. For predominantly cereal-based diets with lower protein quality, the reference is 1.0 g per kg body weight per day. She further explained that protein requirements vary across life stages and health conditions and are influenced by factors such as age, body size, physiological state, physical activity and health status. Children, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, and older adults require particular attention to adequate protein intake.
Dr. Jain also pointed out that India should not be viewed as uniformly protein deficient, as population-level averages do not necessarily indicate whether individuals are meeting their body-weight-specific protein requirements. However, variations in dietary diversity, affordability, energy intake and household food distribution can contribute to nutritional gaps among vulnerable groups.
Underscoring the importance of dietary diversity, Dr. Jain highlighted the need to move beyond cereal-dominated meals and include a wider range of food groups. She explained that while cereals contribute protein, combining them with pulses, dairy, soy, nuts and seeds, according to dietary preferences and cultural practices, can improve the overall nutritional and amino-acid profile of meals. She cited traditional Indian food combinations such as dal-rice, roti-chana, idli-sambar, dosa-sambar and khichdi as practical examples of complementary protein sources. According to Dr. Jain, cereal and pulse proteins have complementary amino-acid profiles, thereby improving the overall quality of a plant-predominant diet.
Dr. Jain further underlined that adequate protein intake does not necessarily require expensive or imported products. Affordable foods such as sattu, dal, roasted chana, peanuts, soy and khichdi can contribute to protein-containing meals. She suggested that including a protein source across breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner, rather than concentrating protein intake in a single meal, can be a practical approach to meeting daily requirements.
Speaking specifically about individuals practising Yoga, Dr. Jain emphasised that overall daily protein intake and a balanced diet are more important than focusing exclusively on a post-exercise “protein window.” She noted that a normal balanced meal containing protein, carbohydrates and adequate fluids can support recovery.
Dr. Jain also cautioned against the indiscriminate consumption of high amounts of protein or protein supplements, particularly among individuals with kidney disease or other medical conditions, who should seek professional advice.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Khushbu Jain, Assistant Professor (Biochemistry), MDNIY, and conducted by Dr. Pawan Kumar, Assistant Professor (Yoga Education).
The event was attended by Md. Taiyab Alam, Communication and Documentation Officer and Deputy Director (I/C), MDNIY; Dr. I. N. Acharya, Programme Officer (Yoga Therapy); faculty members, students, officers and staff of the Institute.
The programme, organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, reinforced the importance of informed dietary choices, dietary diversity and adequate nutrition as essential components of a healthy lifestyle.
As part of the month-long observance, MDNIY has planned a series of awareness, educational and outreach activities, including a nutrition quiz, poster-making competition, a nutrition awareness programme for school children, and a community outreach programme focusing on maternal nutrition and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The activities will culminate in a Valedictory Programme on 8 October 2026, featuring an exhibition of posters, recognition of participants and an awareness session on Ayurvedic nutrition and healthy dietary practices.
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