Pakistan’s food system heavily relies on cereals, sugar, and fats, lacking diversity in healthy and nutritious foods, as per a United Nations report. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlighted significant imbalances in food availability that impact nutrition and public health. The report emphasized the need for more fruits, vegetables, pulses, and legumes to combat malnutrition and diet-related diseases.
The report suggested reallocating subsidies to enhance the production and accessibility of nutrient-rich foods in Pakistan. While the country’s food energy availability is sufficient, the quality of food falls short of healthy diet standards. There is an overabundance of cereals, grains, sugar, and oils, leading to imbalanced consumption patterns and contributing to non-communicable diseases.
Grains and cereals dominate food consumption in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas, followed by milk and dairy products. However, vegetable and fruit intake remains low, especially in rural regions, indicating widespread micronutrient deficiencies. Protein sources beyond dairy are limited, with inadequate consumption of meat, poultry, and pulses to compensate for the lack of animal-based foods.
Rural households in Pakistan consume more free sugar and fats compared to urban households, reflecting a preference for energy-dense foods. The rise in processed food sales has worsened dietary habits, contributing to the country’s dual burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition coexists with increasing obesity and non-communicable diseases. The report highlighted alarming statistics, including a high prevalence of diabetes and a significant number of deaths due to cardiovascular diseases.
