UNICEF India Unveils #MeriThaliSehatwali Campaign to Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

UNICEF India has rolled out a new digital initiative titled #MeriThaliSehatwali, aimed at promoting healthy food choices and dietary habits for families across India. The campaign forms a part of a broader nationwide push to improve nutritional environments and foster better diets for all age groups.

Using engaging digital content like infographics, videos, and jingles, the campaign hopes to create a lasting impact on how Indian families understand and adopt healthy eating.

The Vision: A Well-Nourished India

The primary objective of the Meri Thali Sehatwali campaign is to contribute towards a well-nourished nation. With a focus on every family member—from infants to the elderly—the initiative seeks to bridge the knowledge gap around age-specific nutritional needs.

UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey emphasized that food choices are critical to human growth and development at all life stages. She noted that a balanced diet is key for children and youth to grow and thrive and that awareness about what constitutes a healthy diet needs to be spread across the population.

Key Messages of the Campaign

The campaign is built around six core messages designed to be easy to remember and practice. These are:

1. Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding for Infants
   Encourage exclusive breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding for children under two years of age.

2. Nutritious Meals for Women and Adolescents
   Promote healthier breakfasts and snacks, particularly for adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

3. End Gender-Based Food Inequality
   Advocate for the principle that adolescent girls and women should not eat last or receive the least food.

4. Colorful and Seasonal Meals for All
   Families should eat a variety of colorful foods made from locally available and seasonal ingredients every day.

5. Say No to Junk Food
   Avoid ultra-processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, and fat to reduce long-term health risks.

6. Stay Active, No Matter Your Age
   Regular physical activity is important for everyone—kids, adults, and the elderly alike.

Addressing the Dual Burden of Malnutrition

India is currently facing a dual burden of malnutrition—while many continue to suffer from undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, overweight and obesity are rapidly emerging as major public health concerns.

Unhealthy diets are responsible for nearly 56% of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. By advocating for diverse, healthy eating habits and regular physical activity, UNICEF aims to combat these preventable conditions.

Promoting Health Across the Lifecycle

What makes the #MeriThaliSehatwali campaign unique is its life-stage-based approach. By acknowledging that dietary needs change from childhood to adolescence, and from pregnancy to old age, the initiative promotes targeted, actionable steps for better nutrition at every stage of life.

The campaign's content is designed to be shareable, relatable, and educational, making it ideal for dissemination across social media and community platforms.

UNICEF’s Commitment to Child Health and Nutrition

UNICEF has long worked in some of the world's most challenging environments to protect and uplift vulnerable children. In India, the organization continues to rely on support from both individuals and businesses to fund programmes focused on health, nutrition, clean water, education, social protection, and child rights.

Through initiatives like #MeriThaliSehatwali, UNICEF India aims to support government and partner efforts in transforming food environments and making healthy eating an everyday norm.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The #MeriThaliSehatwali campaign is more than just a digital awareness initiative—it’s a call to action for every Indian family to rethink their food habits. By making informed food choices, families can pave the way for better health, stronger communities, and a more resilient India.