Fact Check: USA Nutritional Meet did not declare Dal Chawal as the best healthy food in the world
The fast lifestyle people are following these days is leading to increased stress levels, and poor physical health;
Dal Chawal
The fast lifestyle people are following these days is leading to increased stress levels, and poor physical health including obesity, sleep deprivation, mental health issues, etc. Due to the unavailability of time, people tend to eat junk food, which is high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Healthy food promotes good health, supports bodily functions, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Junk food, and its overconsumption can lead to weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, and a higher risk of chronic diseases. There is a misconception that Indian food is high in calories and unhealthy. While some may contain high levels of sugar, fats, and carbohydrates. But many traditional recipes include nutrient-dense ingredients such as lentils, vegetables and spices.
Meanwhile, a video of a woman talking about the importance of an Indian dish ‘Dal Chawal’ is being widely shared on various social media platforms. This video is shared with the claim that Dal Chawal declared the best healthy food of the world food and nutrition conference in USA.
Here is the archive link of the claim.
Fact Check:
The claim is Misleading. Dal Chawal has not been declared best healthy food of the world food and nutrition conference held in Manchester.
When we extracted keyframes from the video and searched for the speaker, we found that the speaker’s name was Jinal Shah, a nutritionist. Her Instagram account named jinals89 also shares the same video with the caption “The narrative around food is that carbs, protein, fats, and calories is the ‘scientific’ way of eating. However, the latest in science is now catching up with our time-tested, grandmothers' wisdom and saying that eating local, seasonal, traditional food and meal combinations like dal rice, sambhar rice, khichadi, etc. are adequate, wholesome, and nutritious. A short clip from my talk at the Rotary summit.” There is no mention of Dal Chawal being chosen as the Best healthy food at the conference, even in her speech.
When searched for details about the conferences that took place in Manchester, we found that International Sport and Exercise Nutrition Conference was conducted in December 2024. When we checked the social media handles of the ISENC24 conference, we did not find any such posts.
According to the Times of India, the nutritional profile of dal or lentils is they are a powerhouse of nutrition. They are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Lentils are an excellent plant-based protein source, making them a crucial component for vegetarians and vegans. A single cup of cooked lentils provides approximately 18 grams of protein, Dal is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber helps regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol, while insoluble fiber aids digestion and prevents constipation. Lentils are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, folate, magnesium, and potassium. Iron is vital for preventing anemia, folate is crucial for cell division and pregnancy, magnesium supports muscle and nerve function, and potassium helps maintain fluid balance and supports heart health.
Rice, particularly brown rice, complements dal beautifully with its own set of nutrients. Rice is a primary source of carbohydrates, providing the energy needed for daily activities. A cup of cooked rice contains about 45 grams of carbohydrates. Rice is a good source of B vitamins, including niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine, which are essential for energy production and metabolic processes. Brown rice is rich in magnesium, manganese, and selenium. Magnesium aids in muscle function, manganese is necessary for bone formation, and selenium has antioxidant properties that protect cells from damage.
According to NDTV Food, Dal Chawal is the superhero of nutrition that fuels the body and nourishes the soul. Dal or lentils are packed with important nutrients like fibre, iron, folate, and potassium which can keep you full and satiated for long. Rice adds carbohydrates to the meal, which fuels your body with energy. Together, they make a winning team of nutrients for people of all ages!
Though Dal Chaval has been identified as one of the healthy food choice across the world, it has not been declared best healthy food of the world food and nutrition conference held in Manchester. The claim is Misleading.