Anganwadi News: Children will now also get 'superfood' in the Anganwadis of the country's capital, Delhi. The Department of Women and Child Development has released a new menu of food, which includes 6 new diets including items made from coarse grains. An official of the Department of Women and Child Development said, ‘Under the Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, the department had revised the food menu in September 2024 to increase the nutrient content of the food given to the beneficiaries during the winter months, including coarse grains like millet, sorghum and soy flour in their food.’

What was included in the menu?

He said that the department had included new food items like ragi, besan laddu, peanut chaat, lobia chaat, peanut poha, and chapati. WCD nutritionist Archana said that winter-friendly foods like spinach have been included to increase the amount of nutrients in the food. Similarly, sweet millet has been included in place of sweet porridge.

'Children will get enough calories'

Archana said, "Millet is considered a traditional 'superfood'. Millet has now become the staple material for all categories of beneficiaries. Rich in essential micronutrients like fiber, protein, iron, and calcium, millet-based food items improve the overall quality of food served in Anganwadis." She said that this ensures that children not only get adequate calories but also the nutrients required for their growth and development.

The official said that millets have also been included in the 'take-home ration' scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers. Quoting another official, news agency PTI reported that this change is in line with modern dietary recommendations, which prioritize sustainable and nutrient-rich food.