Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd. - a pioneering producer of dairy products and juices in Saudi Arabia and the largest juice manufacturer in the Middle East - once again spearheads the campaign for healthy living in the recently celebrated 2009 International Breast Feeding Week held at the King Fahd Medical City's Women's Specialist Hospital. During the period, daily seminars were conducted in antenatal clinics organized by Nutrition Department and Breast Feeding Committee under the theme “A Vital Emergency Response: Are Your Ready”. The lectures were attended by around 300 ladies. The purpose of the international breast feeding week was to promote breast feeding concept and to encourage pregnant women and mothers who have babies to breast feed their infants and to promote breastfeeding benefits and recommend it as an excellent healthy choice. An exhibition was set during the whole week and educational material was distributed and visitors were advised regarding essential basic healthy guidelines for nursing mothers and babies. Dr. Mona Sanan, consultant, Al Rabie Saudi Foods Co. Ltd., the only spokesperson from the private sector in the course of the seminar, urged mothers to learn more about the healthy food choices that will stimulate their milk production and to take advantage of the numerous health benefits of breastfeeding. Being the lone lecturer from the private sector at the seminar, Dr. Sanan's presence reflects Al Rabie's reputation as champion of national and global health programs and developing high-quality food products. At her presentation titled “Stay Healthy and Beautiful, Make the Correct Food Choices for Yourself & Your Family,” Dr. Sanan said “breastfeeding is an important healthy choice. It contains all the essential nutrients for the baby in right proportions and quantities. Studies have shown that breastfeeding boosts the immune system of infants and protects them from various health threats such as viral and bacterial infections and protects them against allergies. It also offers strong love bond between mother and baby, feelings of warmth and security that will help to establish an early psychological balance in infant. Even mothers benefit from this practice, and breastfeeding will help the mother to regain the pre-pregnancy weight and figure and helps to reduce breast cancer risk.” She recommended that nursing mothers “should eat the healthy nutritional food and drink a minimum of 8 drinks each day including water, milk products and fruit juices and soup. Also they should limit caffeinated drinks. By ensuring they eat healthy and breast feed, new mothers are giving their babies and themselves an excellent beginning for a happy relationship.” Dr. Sanan recently discussed the healthiest diet and nutrition information related to women's health during the Women Health Update Awareness Days organized by Health Education Services Department in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Prince Salman Social Center in Riyadh. Al Rabie milk and juices - an excellent nutritional choice for their safety and nutritional content value and as a good source of calcium and vitamins - were distributed during the educational lectures to pregnant ladies and breastfeeding mothers.
