RAJSHAHI, Sept 20, 2021 (BSS)- Enhanced protein consumption through

lessening dependence on rice can be the best way of founding a healthy and
knowledgeable society through facing the existing nation-building challenges.

  Time has come to boost the consumption of egg, milk, meat and fish through
reducing the gradually rising pressure on rice for physical and mental
development of the young generation.

  Nutrition and health experts unanimously came up with the observation while
addressing a seminar styled "Nutrition for All" at a restaurant in the city
today.

  Bangladesh Poultry Industries Central Council (BPICC) and US Soybean Export
Council jointly organised the rally in association with Rajshahi City
Corporation (RCC).

  City Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton addressed the meeting as the chief guest
saying protein is very much important for the children and aged people. Milk,
egg, meat and fish are the main sources of the protein.

  He called for boosting milk production and its consumption to eradicate the
malnutrition problems that can stem Covid-19 spread.

  Highlighting the enormous aspects of milk to the nation-building process,
he mentioned that milk consumption is very important for both physical and
mental development of the children. So, utmost emphasis should be given on
ensuring fair price of milk and its safe supply.

  Protein is the vital nutrition for normal growth and development of the
brain and other essential nutrients of the human body while livestock is the
pivotal source of nutrition.

  Divisional Director of the Department of Livestock Services Dr Uttam Kumar
Das, Prof Khaleda Islam from the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science in
Dhaka University (DU) and President of Bangladesh Livestock Society Prof
Jalal Uddin Sarder addressed the seminar as resource persons disseminating
their expertise on the issue.

  BPICC President Moshiur Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner Kolyan
Chowdhury and nutritionist Ishrat Jahan also spoke.

  Speakers provide a message from the meeting that consumption of egg, milk,
meat and fish was enhanced in Rajshahi as the purchasing capacity of people
increased. So, Bangladesh will attain development in nutrition indications in
the years to come.

  In her remarks, Prof Khaleda Islam mentioned regular egg intake is very
much important for maintaining sound health as it's a balanced food to all
irrespective of age, male, female and season.

  She said eggs are relatively low in calories and saturated fat and rich in
protein, vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients.

  "Most of the cholesterol that circulates in our bodies is not from
cholesterol in foods, but rather from our liver making cholesterol in
response to high intake of saturated and trans fat," she added.

   She also said that the perception of regular egg consumption is the cause
for leading to heart diseases has been proved incorrect and suggested regular
intake of egg especially for pregnant women and growing children.

  Prof Khaleda said reasons behind low intake are economic status, low
production and misconception.

  Consumption of egg has no significant link with heart diseases and protein
is an important constituent of food which is necessary for strengthening and
building of muscles and tissues and also brain development.