India's National Nutrition Week: Making healthy eating a daily habit

India observes National Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7 annually to promote balanced diets and healthy eating, emphasizing that nutrition is foundational to health beyond just calorie counting. The campaign highlights the need for diet quality and variety across all age groups. India faces a double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition in vulnerable communities alongside rising obesity and lifestyle diseases. Experts stress that traditional foods like millets, pulses, and regional produce offer affordable nutritional solutions, while protein and micronutrients such as iron and calcium require greater attention in daily meals. The week encourages small, sustainable dietary changes, including more vegetables, whole grains, and reduced processed foods. Nutrition is shaped by income, education, and policy, requiring accessible food systems and education, not just individual advice, to combat malnutrition effectively.