BENGALURU: The debate on whether eggs or bananas should be part of midday meals served to school children has taken an interesting turn with a state-commissioned study suggesting that bananas need to be replaced or supplemented with something more nutritious.
The study conducted by Karnataka State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj University (Gadag), pointed out that kids who consumed bananas as part of the school's midday meal had gained weight, but "bananas were still not a sufficient source of nutrition for vegetarians". The finding compels the government, which is desperate to figure out ways to improve nutrition status among school-going children, to take a relook at bananas as substitute for eggs.
"Banana is famous for its traditional, medicinal, and nutritional uses. It is rich in carbohydrates, provides energy (about 110kcal/100g) and is one of the best sources of potassium (358mg/100g). The fruit does not provide any protein but adds calories and minerals like potassium," the study said.
The BMI gain among kids consuming bananas was also attributed to introduction of the fruit in the diet.
So, if banana isn't a great substitute to eggs, what is? Experts believe a substantial difference can be made with addition of peanuts, dairy products or legumes to the diet of vegetarian students.
Y Mariswamy, former chairperson, Karnataka State Commission For Protection of Child Rights and a member of the NEP implementation task force, told TOI there is a general opinion that if not eggs, giving groundnuts to children is a good idea, and it can be in the form of 'chikkis'. "This egg vs banana debate doesn't really concern children from economically backward classes studying in government schools and going to anganwadis. These kids anyway consume eggs," he said.
Dr Sylvia Karpagam, a public health doctor and researcher, said: "Dairy products would be better in terms of quality of protein, vitamins and minerals. One extra glass of milk/curd or paneer should be provided. In addition, bananas should be given to all kids."
"Egg is the closest you can get to packaged protein in a small quantity, which a child can consume. Should that not be an option, dal and legumes in sambar will be the closest to that in terms of protein content...," said Dr Roopa Devasadan, public health consultant with One Billion Literates Foundation
