Ccommunities are being urged to make healthier food choices, since the road to a long and healthy life begins with the food that we consume.
This comes shortly after National Nutrition Week, which is commemorated from October 9 to October 19 annually.
In efforts to raise awareness about good nutrition, Port Shepstone hospital held a number of activities which included:
• A food display set up at the hospital foyer by a team of dieticians showing various types of food that are generally known to contribute to good and bad health.
• In-service training conducted to coach the local clinic Nutrition Advisors.
• A robust presentation made at the hospital Outpatient Department and at one local primary school which incorporated showcasing good cooking techniques.
Eating processed or fast foods which are rich in calories may increase a person’s chances of developing “diseases of lifestyle” such as diabetes, hypertension and stroke. It is therefore important to monitor the type of food you consume, as this may prevent malnutrition, over nutrition and associated diseases which can ultimately lead to death.
Increasing the consumption of home-cooked healthy meals is one of the best ways to ensure that you live a long and healthy life.
Furthermore, the campaign emphasised that “over-nutrition” is not necessarily about eating too much food but can mean eating the wrong kinds of foods and even skipping the most important meal of all; breakfast.
“Having breakfast is seen as one of the most important aspect as it forms part of a healthy lifestyle. People who eat breakfast regularly also tend to be more active,” stated hospital dietician Lauren Papenfus. She further encouraged everyone, including children, adolescents and adults, to eat breakfast within three hours of waking.
— Supplied.