Walk along the streets of Karachi, and you will find none without a fast-food restaurant. These outlets are easily accessible and appealing to young people, but what they get after paying a hefty amount is a mixture of oil, salt, preservatives, colours, sugar and flavours. These burgers, pizzas, broasts, shawarmas, and rolls are becoming an addiction that builds the pathway to diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity and heart diseases.
That being so, the food regulatory authorities and restaurants can collaborate to modify their practices to satisfy the bud-sensitising cravings while still keeping the meals nutritionally sufficient.
The authorities must keep a check and make it mandatory for restaurants to have dieticians and nutritionists on their team. With their expertise in nutritional sciences, such professionals can help prepare tasty yet healthy food.
Furthermore, air-frying, grilling, and baking can replace deep frying. Instead of potato being the only vegetable available, more vegetables, like carrots, beets and eggplant, can be added. They can even include colourful fruits and yogurt-based desserts or sweet treats with plant-based sweeteners.
Children can be attracted by bright-coloured packaging and bonus toys for healthy meals. Besides, customers who choose more nutritious alternatives on the menu must be given discounts, appreciation and bonuses to encourage them to choose healthy food more often than they do. It would help restaurants move their business forward, give consumers a chance to eat healthy when outside, and reduce the risk of diseases.
DUA ARIF
KARACHI
