Home ›› 13 Nov 2022 ›› Front
Nutritionists have suggested reaching out for cheaper sources of protein as the prices of food items such as eggs, meat and fish have risen by as much as 35 per cent, potentially putting low-income people at risk of protein deficiency.
People who no longer have the capacity to purchase the usual protein-rich food items such as poultry, dairy, fish and meat can instead opt for relatively cheaper items such as pulses, fruits and vegetables, which can act as alternative sources of protein.
Speaking to The Business Post, Bangladesh National Nutrition Council (BNNC) Director General Dr Hasan Shahriar Kabir said, “More than 50 per cent of the country’s total population suffers from the lack of essential amount of protein in their diet.
“It is a well-known fact that fish, meat, and eggs are good sources of protein. But there are other food items which can act as alternative sources to animal protein. Easily accessible food items such as soybeans, chickpeas, beans, lentils, and nuts can help boost protein intake.”
BNNC data has dubbed eggs as the first and major source of protein. Depending on size, each egg contains 6-8g of protein.
Chicken is another notable protein source, containing 24-25g of protein per 100g of meat.
Depending on the type, each 100g fish contain 20-22g of protein.
Soy, peanuts, chickpea, lentil, black gram can act as alternate sources of protein, as each 100g of these legumes carry about 25-36g of protein. Local vegetables such as beans, potato, and leafy greens as well as fruits like banana, jackfruit and guava also contain considerable amounts of protein, BNNC data adds.
“However, we have to remember that we need animal proteins also,” the BNNC director general said. He explained that there are some particular macro and micronutrients such as vitamin B12 which can only be obtained from animal sources.
When asked about a solution to the dilemma, Dr Kabir said, “Stakeholders should come together to introduce a protein awareness programme so that people know about all sources of protein.
“In the current global scenario, we should utilise our plant protein sources to mitigate protein deficiency.”
“In case animal protein is unavailable, a person can supplement their diet with protein derived from plant sources,” Labaid Hospital’s Nutritionist Samia Tasnim said.
“It should be remembered that plant proteins supply non-heme iron, and that to ensure proper absorption into the body, vitamin C must also be included in the diet. Only then would this type of protein provide proper nutrition to the body,” she explained.
It may be noted that non-heme iron is found in plant foods like whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and leafy greens.
However, the nutritionist also emphasised that protein derived from animal sources is undoubtedly more nutritious for the human body.
Low-income people losing purchasing power
Low and middle-income people, especially day labourers, now have less ability to afford meat, fish and eggs. The prices of these items went up by as much as 35 per cent over the last year, according to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) data.
But the purchasing power of the people has not increased similarly.
According to a recent Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) report, even if a four-member family forgoes eating meat and fish, they have to spend Tk 9,059 per month for buying food items. When including meat and fish, the expenditure goes up to as much as Tk 22,421.
After speaking to several people, this correspondent found that low-income people nowadays earn around Tk 600-700 daily. Taking that into consideration, their monthly income would amount to around Tk 16,000-17,000, less than the amount needed to include animal protein in their family’s diet.
This correspondent spoke to Abdur Rahman, office assistant of a private organisation, at the Segunbagicha kitchen market of the capital on Tuesday.
“My salary is Tk 25,000, which pays for my family’s food, house rent, children’s education, and other essential expenditure,” he said, adding that due to the increase in the price of food items such as fish, meat and egg, he is no longer able to buy these items very often.
“Almost all the money I earn is spent on buying food. As a result, it has become difficult to meet other key expenses,” Abdur Rahman added.
Price comparison of protein sources
After visiting several kitchen markets in the capital, this correspondent found that alternative sources of protein were comparatively cheaper than animal protein.
The price of broiler chicken was Tk 220 – Tk 375 per kg, eggs Tk 150 per dozen, and even the cheapest fish is Tk 220 – Tk 340 per kg.
On the other hand, per kg of soy was being sold for Tk 80 – Tk 100, chickpeas Tk 70 – Tk 80, lentil or black gram Tk 95 – Tk 120, and peanuts Tk 200 – Tk 220. Vegetables and fruits high in protein were being sold for around Tk 40 – Tk 100 per kg.
Each kg of guava was sold for Tk 60 – Tk 70, whereas each dozen of bananas was around Tk 40 – Tk 100.
