About Nutrikik
Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the growth and development of children, especially in their formative years. Good nutrition is the foundation of a healthy and fulfilling life. However, there are underserved communities that lack the basic needs of nutritional supply, and it affects their physical, cognitive, and emotional development.
Based on the above understanding, SIF has developed certain nutritional supplements using millets and spirulina; viz. Spirulina Peanut Chikki, Spirulina Ragi Biscuits, Moringa Sesame Chikki, Moringa Jowar Biscuit, Spirulina Multigrain Energy Bites and Moringa Multigrain Energy Bites. Under Nutrikik, we offer these nutritional supplements to the students and make them a part of their daily meals. Anemic students can be given special attention as far as consumption of these nutritional supplements is concerned.
These nutrition supplementary products contain naturally obtained super foods with more than one nutrient. All the products are carefully designed to keep the nutrients intact and at the same time the taste suits the local palate and therefore, students like them.
Some of the products are a technology transfer from CFTRI, Mysore, and all the products are made with ingredients recommended by NIN, ICRISAT and CFTRI. The products have FSSAI Licenses and are tested at NAAC accredited laboratories, under the trademark NUTRI KIK®.
Significance
Nutrikik Project has significantly changed the lives of many children. As we already know, especially in the post pandemic era that if a person’s body doesn’t get enough proper nutrients, particularly antioxidants, the immune system is badly affected, making them susceptible to several ailments.
It is when supplementation of Nutrikik products helped abundantly in the following ways-
- Ensured optimal growth and development so that children reach their full growth potential and achieve appropriate developmental milestones.
- Develop strong immune system, making them able to fight off infections and illnesses and promote faster recovery.
- Improved cognitive function and learning because a healthy and nutritious diet has a direct impact on brain development and cognitive function, contributing to improved school performance and better learning outcomes.
- More energy and improved physical activity, promoting a healthy lifestyle.
- Prevent common nutritional deficiencies such as anemia that impair physical and cognitive growth.
Impact
‘Nutrikik’ program is also in its pilot stage and has covered 603 students from 4 institutions across the state of Telangana, from academic year 2021-22 onwards to till date (i.e., November 2022)
Future Possibilities
Nutrition is the cornerstone of a child’s health, growth, and development. By providing children of underserved communities with a well-balanced diet, we equip them with the tools they need to lead healthy, happy, and successful lives both now and in the future.
Nutritional problems like protein energy malnutrition (PEM), anaemia and vitamin A deficiency continue to plague a large proportion of Indian children. The major nutritional problems are protein energy malnutrition (PEM), vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).
The main objective is to fight malnutrition and enhance the habit of healthy eating in all possible age groups. And in the process, SIF’s target is to inculcate healthy eating practices.
Further, the following efforts can be made for greater outreach of the program
- Collaboration with CSR that is committed towards health enrichment for young people.
- Documentation of health improvements in students using the Nutrikik products.
