Fraser Health is working with Surrey’s Sikh community to promote a new diet plan aimed at reducing the consumption of fat and sugar.
The health authority has been teaming with local gurdwaras to make changes to their kitchen and food programs.
Organizers claim the new guidelines have helped lower sugar consumption by 25 per cent and cut fat by 70 per cent. Over the past year, a team of staff and volunteers has been visiting different locations each week hosting hands-on activities that engage and educate the congregations.
They have also worked to develop recipes to promote healthy eating in the South Asian community.
“We know that with the South Asian population at large there is a huge chronic disease problem,” Deljit Bains of Manager, South Asian Health Institute said. “We know that South Asians have two to three times the rate of diabetes and heart disease. As a result, there’s a big need. It’s almost like a dire situation. If people don’t start to make healthier choices and make positive changes in their health, it’s going to continue to grow.”
Bains said the program is not about asking members of the South Asian community to give up on staples like dhal, rice, roti, vegetable curry, lassis, jalebi and kheer.
“It’s kind of like creating a bit of a nudge. We’re not saying, ‘don’t eat this.’ It’s all about moderation,” Bains said.
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