The Health Ministry today introduced a set of guidelines for devotees to follow during the preparation of alms for Buddhist monks, as part of the religious themed programs held on the sixth day of the National Health Week.

Health Ministry Spokesman W. A. D. Wanninayake speaking to Daily Mirror said the guidelines were introduced as a response to several requests made by monks who wished for a set of guidelines that would promote healthy options during the preparation and serving of alms.

“It has been discovered that most monks have developed a risk of developing non-communicable diseases as a result of consuming unhealthy food served to them during alms that are rich in sugar, oil and salt. The new set of guidelines will assist the devotees in making smarter choices when deciding which foods to prepare during an alms giving,” he said.

According to Health Ministry statistics, 50% of the total of 40,000 venerated monks in the country face the risk of developing diabetes as opposed to the national average of 10 percent.

The set of guidelines that has been prepared by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) Nutrition Department official Dr. Renuka Jayatissa issues a warning on the use of oil, sugar and salt. Hence, certain restrictions have been placed in choosing food as well as in the preparation process of the alms in this new formula.

The guidelines advise the devotees to use long-grained rice and to choose at least three varieties of vegetables and two varieties of fruits when deciding the list of foods to be prepared for the alms. (Lakna Paranamanna)

Source: Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)