Adopt a green diet and increase your health
Include five portions of vegetables and fruit each day
OPTIMUM health should always be a priority, and especially so during these Covid times.
The reality is that the coronavirus is not the only enemy; there are many other diseases out there, especially when it comes to lifestyle and diet.
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South Africa has a high rate of diet and lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and type 2 diabetes, which make us more vulnerable to contracting severe illnesses like Covid-19.
This makes daily food choices extremely important.
This is the message from an alliance of South African health organisations which are collaborating with the Department of Health and the
Department of Basic Education to promote the 2021 National Nutrition Week theme ‘Eat more vegetables and fruits every day’.
The Department of Health points out that increasing access to fresh vegetables and fruits, and then including at least five portions of them in one’s daily diet, can make a significant impact on overall health, as well as mitigate the risks of serious diet-related illnesses.
They also indicated that 2021 has been declared the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables by the United Nations.
South Africa is part of the global effort to raise awareness around the importance of including vegetables and fruits in healthy diets.
Carol Browne of the Nutrition Society of South Africa recommends following four principles when it comes to meeting the recommended minimum of five portions of vegetables and fruit each day:
1. Always include vegetables in meals
2. Eat raw vegetables and fresh fruit
3. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits that are in season
4. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits
Another collaborator for National Nutrition Week is Grow Great, a child-focused campaign working towards the goal of zero stunting in South Africa by 2030.
For growing children, the message to eat veg and fruit daily is essential as it sets up healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime.
Tips to include more vegetables and fruit every day on a budget include:
· Growing your own is one of the best ways to access more veg and fruit at a low cost
· Get together with neighbours, family and friends to buy seasonal veg and fruit in bulk
· Look out for supermarket specials on frozen or canned produce. Rinse and drain canned produce using clean water to avoid salt and sugar that is added during processing
· To prevent produce spoiling which wastes money, buy vegetables and fruit that stay fresh for longer, such as butternut, carrots, cabbage, beetroot, onions, apples and oranges
· Save money and improve your health by reducing your intake of ultra-processed and takeaway foods, as well as sugary beverages and unhealthy snacks. Use this to rather buy more veg and fruit that can become your children’s daily go-to snack foods.
