There is no particular date on which we launched VOICE in April 1983 at the Delhi School of Economics campus at Delhi University. There was no launch ceremony or event. It was born out of the drafting of a complaint by VOICE signed by me and about 30 of my students. One student took it around and got the signatures. I had been drafting the complaint based on invoices of purchase of 20 inches Colour TVs which were being sold in retail much above the retail price of ₹7500 in the import undertaking given to the Government on import of Kits to assemble the CTVs.

We had been collecting the invoices over previous few weeks. I remember that the complaint was ready to be filed at MRTPC (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Commission) around Baisakhi, 13 April 1983. That is the reason I regard Baisakhi of 1983 as founding day of VOICE.

Prior to this I had asked my students in a class on ‘branding’ what name would they give to a Consumer association to be formed to fight for consumer rights? I got about 40 slips. One of these slips had the name – Voluntary organisation in Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE) . I instantly picked this name. Soon a letterhead was created and the complaint to MRTPC was typed on it.

It’s been 40 years since. The Delhi University routine was quite different at Delhi School of Economics where I had been appointed as a Lecturer in Commerce in 1982. I had been working as a Lecturer in Commerce at Bhagat Singh College then located in Govindpuri from 1977 where my focus was on completing my PhD which was awarded in 1980. An 18 hour/ week teaching schedule and PhD research work kept me busy at the college. However, with a shift to the main University campus my teaching load was relatively lesser and gave me relatively more time to read and write. My interest in consumer movement was kindled reading a marketing text book by Stanton which I was using to teach a Marketing paper to M.Com students as a part of my job. It traced the impact of the US Consumer Movement on the US consumer and retail markets and B2C corporations and brands. It had led me to ask the question ‘Why can’t we have a similar movement in India?’ I had discovered a provision in the MRTP Act, 1969 which allowed an unincorporated Voluntary Consumer Association to file a complaint against businesses for restrictive trade practices. I had drafted the complaint based on over charging consumers on sale of CTVs in violation of undertakings given by heading brands like Weston , Dyanora, Dynavision , BPL etc at time of import of kits. Most of this information had been culled out of un-stared questions drafted by me and filed by some BJP MPs in Lok Sabha with whom I had close links in those days due to my past association with ABVP.

This complaint was filed shortly thereafter at the MRTPC located at Travancore House. An investigation ensued. MRTPC issued notice to Bharat TV and 43 other assemblers and dealers named in preliminary investigation report prepared by DG (I&R) in early 1984. This case number 183 of 1984 VOICE vs Bharat TV & 43 others kept me busy for more than a decade. We won the case over a decade later but that is another story.

Prof Shri Ram Khanna

Chief Editor

Every year we observe March 8 as International Women’s Day. According to the Unite Nations, the purpose of this day is to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality. The state of women’s health and nutrition is critical to their overall well-being. Adequate nutritional status of women significantly impacts their work capacity and the health of their children. Eating a well-balanced diet and practicing good nutritional habits can aid in the prevention of several ailments, and thus help in maintenance of good health. In this article, we discuss some of the major nutritional disorders prevalent among Indian women, nutritional needs of women during different life stages, and some tips to address these concerns.

                                                                                                                         Richa Pande

According to the NFHS 5 data, more than 50 % Indian women and adolescent girls are anaemic. There’s high prevalence of malnutrition concerns like underweight and overweight/obesity at the same time. Additionally, the prevalence on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and osteoporosis among Indian women.

They also struggle with micronutrient deficiencies. The above data gives us an insight about the nutritional status of Indian women. 

The above data gives us an insight about the nutritional status of Indian women. Now lets us try to understand the reasons behind it. Women are more likely than men to experience nutritional deficiencies due to a variety of factors, including their reproductive biology, low social status, poverty, and lack of education.

Women have different nutritional needs at different stages of life. Women go through several hormonal changes throughout their lives, making certain nutrients essential at different stages for their healthy development and overall well-being.

Nutrition during Adolescence

During adolescence a girl goes through many physical and hormonal changes coupled with increased growth rate, hence nutritious food is essential for her growth and development. Her diet must include all essential macro and micronutrients with an emphasis on adequate consumption of Protein, Calcium, and Iron.  Consumption of junk food should be limited. It’s important to practice healthy eating habits during this stage as these will be carried on into later stages of life. 

Nutritional Care for Young Women

Post adolescence, women undergo a transformative stage as well as these are the years when they pursue higher education, career interests, get married, and plan a family. It’s natural to get stressed during this stage but it’s important to deliberately make good health choices such as staying physically active, taking care of your mental health, avoiding emotional eating, etc. It’s important to have enough amounts of Protein, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin D, Omega -3 fats, and Vitamin B12.

Pre-conception Health

It’s crucial for a woman to have a good nutritional status if she is planning to get pregnant. Women diagnosed with PCOD, thyroid, or anaemia must take special care of their health especially if they are planning to get pregnant. Underweight and overweight women should also focus on weight management before conceiving a child. You can seek a nutritionist/ health practitioner’s advice to manage your diet if you are planning to get pregnant.  It’s important to understand that pregnancy can affect your mental health. Also, you can deal with post-partum depression, thus it is advisable to stay educated about mental health and take necessary precautions before pregnancy itself. Know that to deal with the changes during this stage, you need a strong body and mind, which can only be obtained by adopting a healthy eating style, sufficient physical activity, and adequate rest.

Nutritional care during pregnancy and while feeding a child

During pregnancy, it’s important to seek the advice of a health practitioner and follow it. Take proper rest and adequate sleep.  Have foods rich in folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Calcium, Omega-3 fats and Iron. If you face any discomfort, discuss it with your healthcare provider. It’s also important to educate yourself about feeding your child in advance. It’s also important to have knowledge about your nutritional needs when you are feeding your child. You can discuss this with a nutritionist or a dietitian and can further self-educate yourself about it via literature recommended by your health practitioner. Note that along with the nutrients, your fluid intake will play an important role in managing the feeding experience.

Pre-menopausal Health 

It’s important to take care of your health throughout your life but special emphasis must be put on it when you are in your late thirties and early forties. Educating yourself about perimenopause, and menopause is a good idea. Women start perimenopause at different ages. During this stage, you might notice some irregularity in your periods. You are diagnosed to have menopause once you’ve gone through 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It’s important to have regular health check-ups during this stage, eating healthy, staying physically active, and taking proper rest and adequate sleep. Practicing yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises can be soothing. It’s vital to have foods rich in Calcium, Folic acid, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Fibre. It’s important to note that post menopause, your body requirement of Iron decreases. If you were taking Iron supplements before menopause, consult your health practitioner for an adjusted dose for during perimenopause and post-menopause.

It’s time for women to prioritise their own nutritional and health needs because taking care of ourselves comes before taking care of others. Women frequently disregard these needs. They must also ask for assistance when they need it rather than struggling silently and letting it affect their wellbeing.

Makhana, also known as Foxnut, is a widely consumed snack during fasting in India. It is becoming a popular snack among health-conscious consumers due to its healthier nutrient. Makhana is mixed with different seasoning and flavouring substances, and a range of ready -to-eat Makhana snack packs are available in the market. In this article, we discuss the nutrient profile of foxnut, spell out its health benefits, share some recipes that are easy to prepare at home, and give some tips on how to pick a healthier version of ready-to-eat makhana snack from market.

                                                                                                                           Richa Pande

Makhana is the edible seed of the gorgon plant, a species of water lily, and thus it is also called the Lotus Seed. Traditionally, the seed is roasted or fried, and is mixed with oils and herbs and eaten during fasting observed in India during Navratri and in the month of Sawan.

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile. 100 g of makhana provides about 347 calories of energy, contains about 9.7 g of protein, and has 14.5 g of fibre. It is also a good source of micronutrients such as- potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. These micronutrients play an important role in metabolic activities thus promoting our wellbeing. Makhana is also rich in natural antioxidants such as Gallic acid, kaempferol and chlorogenic acid that have many health benefits.

Makhana is the edible seed of the gorgon plant, a species of water lily, and thus it is also called the Lotus Seed. Traditionally, the seed is roasted or fried, and is mixed with oils and herbs and eaten during fasting observed in India during Navratri and in the month of Sawan.

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile

Makhana has a healthy nutrient profile. 100 g of makhana provides about 347 calories of energy, contains about 9.7 g of protein, and has 14.5 g of fibre. It is also a good source of micronutrients such as- potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. These micronutrients play an important role in metabolic activities thus promoting our wellbeing. Makhana is also rich in natural antioxidants such as Gallic acid, kaempferol and chlorogenic acid that have many health benefits.

The glycaemic index score of fox nuts is under 55, and thus makhana can be classified as low GI food. Low GI foods are the food items that contain carbohydrates which are digested slowly in the body. Eating them leads to a gradual and comparatively low rise in the blood glucose and insulin levels. This also means that these foods can help you keep feeling full for a longer duration. Therefore, these food items are considered good for health, and are specifically recommended to individuals who have diabetes.

As fox nut is rich in antioxidants, it is also considered good for skin health, heart health, and could be helpful in prevention and management of chronic inflammation. It is a good snack for individuals with rheumatic arthritis.  Its fibre content makes it good for your digestive health as well. 

Fox nut is a great snack for individuals with wheat allergy or gluten intolerance. But some ready-to-eat makhana packs may have seasonings that might contain ingredients like wheat flour. Thus, it is very important to check labels, and avoid picking packs with such ingredients. Look for packets that have ‘Gluten-Free’ claim on them.

Makhana is high in magnesium, calcium and potassium and low in sodium. Thus, it is a good snack for people who have hypertension. Some ready-to-eat makhana packs might have added salt and thus you must go through the food labels to avoid picking such packs. As makhana is rich in calcium, it is also good for your bone and teeth health.

Makhana is also a good source of selenium which is known to be effective in prevention and management of thyroid disorders. Due to its healthier nutrient profile, it also makes an excellent snack for pregnant women, and individuals aiming for weight loss.

Preparing home-made snacks using makhana 

• Roast the makhana seeds in one teaspoon of ghee or oil. You can have them as it is or season them with herbs, and spices of your choice. Some common herbs and spices – pepper, rock salt, lemon, oregano, parsley, turmeric coriander, etc.  You can also add cut onions and tomatoes and make ‘makhana chaat’.
• Makhana kheer is a popular traditional Indian recipe. You can add sugar, and other nuts and dry fruits to it as per your choice.

Picking a relatively healthier ready-to-eat makhana snack 

Check the ingredient list, and nutritive value table before choosing a snack

• Prefer picking packs with low amounts of saturated fats, sodium, and sugar & prefer the ones with more amounts of protein, dietary fibre, MUFA, and PUFA.
• Prefer packs with vegetable oils like sunflower oils, rice bran oil, cottonseed oil, and avoid the ones with palm oil that has more amount of saturated fats.
• Avoid picking packs that have maltodextrin in their ingredient list.

If you go through food labels, you must have come across maltodextrin in the ingredient list. It is a commonly used ingredient in processed packaged foods. Maltodextrin has several applications in the food industry, has some health benefits but it has also been associated with many health risks. In this article, we have summarised the applications of maltodextrin, its benefits, its impact on health, alternatives, and identification of maltodextrin and substitutes in the packaged foods using food labels.

                                                                                                                                                           Richa Pande

Maltodextrin is produced from corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, or wheat starch after undergoing extensive processing. It is added in the food products to increase their caloric content, improve food palatability, and to maintain the food quality. It is also commonly used as a thickening and stabilizing agent. Maltodextrin is also used as a preservative that increases the shelf life of packaged foods. It is often used in preparation of fast foods and packaged snacks. It is also used to replacing sugar or fat in processed foods. Maltodextrin is also used as a filler in production of many food items and nutrition supplements. It is also used as a binding and carrier agent in production of tablets and capsules, and many sports supplements.

Maltodextrin is a FDA approved food ingredient. Maltodextrin has a high glycaemic index (GI) value. In fact, maltodextrin’s GI higher than that of table sugar. This means that maltodextrin can cause a spike in your blood sugar levels even quicker than table sugar. This is the reason why we should limit the consumption of foods containing maltodextrin as it is always recommended to have foods with low GI.  Foods with high GI should be specifically avoided by diabetics. Some research studies suggest that maltodextrin is also not good for the gut health. It has been found that maltodextrin can increase the growth of bacteria such as E. coli, which increases the risk of development of autoimmune diseases, and increase the risk of colitis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Some people can experience allergic reactions after consumption of maltodextrin. This includes gas, borborygmus, diarrhoea, cramping and skin irritations. However, some research work also suggests that maltodextrin can promote the growth of Bifidobacterium in the gut, which is good for gut health. It is also well-known for its laxative properties. Some studies have even found that maltodextrin can be helpful in the prevention of colorectal cancer.

Some healthier alternatives of maltodextrin are-Pectin, Stevia, Guar Gum, Sago, Sorbitol, Erythritol.

Maltodextrin is commonly found in these food products-

• Cereal bars
• Ice creams and yogurts
• Instant soup powders and canned soups
• Popcorns
• Health drink powders
• Energy drinks
• Bakery products
• Sauces
• Sweeteners and flavourings
• Nutrition supplements
• Sports drinks, and snacks for athletes for athletes trying to gain weight.

It is always recommended to go through the food labels to avoid picking food products that have maltodextrin in them. You can identify these products by going through the ingredient list and check if it has maltodextrin in it. You can also establish an understanding about the composition of maltodextrin in the food product. If it’s mentioned as the first ingredient in the ingredient list, then it means that the product is the major ingredient in that specific product. By referring to the ingredient list, you can establish an understanding if a product is healthy or not. Product 1 and product 2 below are oats and soup packs that are generally perceived as healthier products. By referring to the ingredient list, you can make an informed choice about the food product.

Pack one is a ready-to-eat oat snack, has maltodextrin in it.

Pack two is an instant soup powder that has maltodextrin in it.