December is one of the most anticipated months of the year because it represents the perfect opportunity to get together as a family and share with loved ones around the table and the typical foods of the time. During the December holidays, consumer preferences change and consumption in some product categories such as cookies, fritters and meat derivatives increase by up to 35%, Mentta experts indicate.
For this reason, the ANDI Chamber of the Food Industry seeks to raise awareness about the balanced consumption of food in order to promote the optimal state of health of families. Therefore, some recommendations are shared to ensure a balanced diet, that is, complete, balanced, sufficient, varied, safe and adequate:
Review the portions consumed: Christmas dishes are usually a delicious combination that must be enjoyed in the right portions to avoid impacts on health. Therefore, it is recommended to prepare varied meals accompanied by vegetables, protein, as well as carbohydrates to achieve balanced dishes. (Read here: 5 keys to make a more nutritious market)
Buy and consume food in reliable establishments: To ensure food safety and security, Colombians are recommended to buy products in reliable establishments, in order to prevent poisoning or other diseases caused by contaminated food.
Check food expiration dates: Checking the expiration date is essential to avoid health risks since it is the indicator of the useful life of the food. Depending on the date, the product can be shared at home more or less quickly.
Properly clean the kitchen, dishes and utensils: Proper cleaning, both of the space and of the kitchen instruments, is a fundamental factor to prevent the proliferation of bacteria and avoid contamination of food and products that are in the space.
Storing cooked food carefully: In the event that you want to preserve previously cooked food, it is important that the storage has adequate temperature conditions. This ensures that the food is kept in good condition. Avoid mixing raw prepared foods to prevent cross contamination.
“From the Food Industry we seek to provide consumers with varied consumption alternatives under the highest quality standards so that they can choose comfortably according to their preferences. We know that this season encourages different ways of sharing and that food allows even more union around the table with friends and family. For this reason, we call for a healthy and balanced diet for constant enjoyment within Colombian homes,” said Camilo Montes, executive director of the ANDI Chamber of the Food Industry.