Karnataka - Bangalore

Spare a thought for hygiene and nutrition quotient

Even vegetarians develop heart conditions. Whether it is meat-eaters or vegetarians, what matters is following a balanced diet and avoiding fatty food, say our readers.

Safe cooking

The traditional Indian way of cooking poultry must be safe because no portion is left half-cooked as in the case of Western style fried chicken.

There is much to be said for vegetarianism but even non-vegetarians now take care to eat fat-free meat and limit their meat consumption.

The bird flu does not seem to have reached the South; let us be thankful for such (viral) parochialism.

Joshua S.,

Langford Road.

Personal choice

Many people consider poultry and seafood healthier than other kinds of non-vegetarian food.

Perhaps, they should now stick to seafood and even avoid chicken. The bird flu scare seems to be slowly going away and the health authorities in Maharashtra and Gujarat have done their best to contain it Being a vegetarian or not is a matter of personal choice.

Latha Venkatesh,

Jayanagar.

Genetic problem

Many vegetarians too have developed heart conditions and high cholesterol.

It must be more genetic than due to food habits.

The way some hatcheries are maintained and the way chickens are transported to the market is cruel. Animal welfare organisations should become more vigilant and stop such practices.

D.S. Manjunath,

R.T. Nagar.

Have red wine

While we are excited about discovering Western fast food like burgers and fried chicken, many in the west are turning vegetarians for reasons of health.

Among the Europeans, those who consume animal fats and still have a low rate of heart disease are the French.

This is attributed to their liking for red wine, which is rich in anti-oxidants. Most Indians do not drink wine so they cannot be equally generous with non-vegetarian food, especially red meat.

Babita S.,

Indiranagar.

Nutrition quotient

Vegetarianism has proven health benefits provided one eats a balanced meal with enough proteins and other nutrients.

Many vegetarians don't follow this healthy habit.

Meat eaters need not feel discouraged. They can go for healthier alternatives like seafood and still feel satisfied. In fact, in some parts of the country fish is considered part of a vegetarian diet.

J. Mohanram.,

J.P. Nagar.

Right choice

Shocked by increase in heart disease, even the steak-lovers overseas are turning to more meat-free diet.

The climate in our country is more suited to a vegetarian diet, perhaps with an occasional indulgence in non-vegetarian food.In South East Asia, seafood is most popular and people in those countries seem to be relatively healthier and free of heart disease. If seafood can be made more palatable and odour-free while cooking, more Indians may change their food habits.

Susheela Oommen,

Indiranagar.

Focus on hygiene

Even if bird flu is contained and eliminated, more care has to be given to hygiene in poultry farms and the way the birds are transported to the market, killed and dressed for the table.

Any non-vegetarian food is likely to go bad and get contaminated faster, compared to vegetables.

Care has to be taken in selecting the meat and cooking it, if one is to be safe from infections.

Sudha Nagaraj,

Malleswaram.

Healthier option

The bird flu is one more reason for people to turn vegetarian.

It is far healthier and with enough pulses and other sources of protein added, it is even better. Of course habitual meat eaters are not going to change their habits overnight.

R. Krishnaswamy,

Basavanagudi.

NEXT WEEK: More Indians seem to be travelling abroad on business or leisure than ever before. Is it only relaxation in travel and foreign exchange restrictions or because we feel the need to see more of the outside world? Overseas travel has certainly ceased to be a luxury limited to the very affluent. Readers are invited to mail Point-Blank, No. 19 and 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in

Langford Road.

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