Tips to stay healthy through a balanced diet this winter
What we eat and drink can affect our body’s ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections.
It is well known that good nutrition and a balanced diet promote good health.
With the colder months here, Premier FMCG is educating consumers on the importance of nutritious and balanced meals in the support of the a healthy and strong immune system.
• Staying healthy:
What we eat and drink can affect our body’s ability to prevent, fight and recover from infections. While no foods or dietary supplements can prevent or cure a Covid-19 infection, healthy diets are important for supporting immune systems. Good nutrition can also reduce the likelihood of developing other health problems.
• Plating your meal:
Most people don’t know how to plate a nutritious meal. Because children copy what is on their parents’ plates, there is little room for improvement and change in this behaviour. It is, therefore, important that the change takes place on the adult’s plate.
From a young age, children should be taught how to dish up a balanced meal, (which consists of the three main food groups: protein, fruits and vegetables and starch) which is predominantly filled by vitamins and minerals,” said dietitian Ria Tintswalo.
• Eat fresh vegetables:
The combination of climate and soil makes the northern parts of South Africa, particularly Limpopo and Mpumalanga very conducive to growing crops. By growing your own vegetables in your garden, you will have an unlimited supply of fresh vegetables to compliment your meals, providing you with the nutrients you need for a healthy diet. This is both affordable and sustainable for the South African family.
• Add a maize-based product to your diet:
By adding a maize-based product to your diet, you are filling your plate with a meal that provides sustenance and nutrients.
“It is legislated by government that all maize products are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals to ensure the health of our people. Super Sun products have been providing nutrient-rich meals for the past 50 years,” said Marketing Executive at Premier FMCG Sibongile Mooko.
By using fortified maize products as the main staple for your family, the following vitamins and minerals are consumed in one helping: Vitamin B1, B2, B6, B9, B12, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Vitamin E. Furthermore, the fortified maize products contain a percentage of the daily recommended dose of Zinc, Iron and Fibre.
The maize meal fortified with a variety of vitamins and minerals promotes all sorts of health benefits, such as keeping your skin healthy, assisting with healthy teeth and bones, boosting immunity and it helping to maintain a healthy nervous system.
Studies how that inadequate nutrition, particularly in school learners, is well known to impact productivity and learning ability negatively, and we want to turn this around.
“Which is why Super Sun has partnered with Food and Trees for Africa to promote the growing of vegetable gardens in local schools. Schools and community food gardening and greening programmes provide educator, learner, and community permaculture workshops, educational materials and planting resources,” added Tintswalo.
