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Catherine W Gichuki
Doha
A LARGE number of young Qataris are using social media to discard the junk food culture in Qatar and promote healthy eating habits. And they are receiving adequate support from the government in their endeavour.
The youths are often turning to social media platforms and blogs to make people aware of the risks of consuming junk food. Some of them have also opened restaurants, that offer only healthy food.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune recently, Qatari chef Hend Saleh Hassan said:"Qatari chefs are advising people to prepare food in a healthy way, for instance, by using organic coconut oil and adding more vegetables in their preparations."
Hend, who plans to make healthy cakes with organic fruits, added:"There are Qatari bloggers, who demonstrate how to make Qatari food in a healthy way." She said there were Qataris in restaurant business who offer only healthy food at their outlets
"A lot of vegan restaurants are also coming up in Qatar."
According to her, they have the full support of the Qatar government. The government has been issuing advisories from time to time, discouraging consumption of junk food in the country. It has also banned junk food in school canteens and offered funds to Qatari entrepreneurs to promote better health.
"We appreciate the government for organising the annual National Sport Day, which highlights the importance of eating healthy and being physically active," she said.
Hend is also a health advisor and collaborates with healthcare organisations to encourage people to consume healthy food.
Another Qatari chef Aisha al Bin Ali said,"More restaurants, which offer healthy foods, need to open in Qatar with the government's support. At the same time, the government should have tough regulations against outlets offering junk food."
The government should support farmers and the agriculture sector as well, she said, adding:"If there are more farms in Qatar, more people would go for healthy farm produce."
