The ever-increasing price of food means South Africans are being forced to make tough nutritional versus price decisions. This is according to Maria van der Merwe, president of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa. Research shows that barriers to healthy eating include the cost of healthy food, social pressures and a lack of nutritional knowledge, among others.
“Currently, the high costs of living in South Africa are stimulating changes in what food we buy, and how often we eat out or choose ready-made foods such as takeaways over preparing meals at home,” Van der Merwe tells Health For Mzansi.
Healthy eating does not have to be expensive, contrary to popular belief, she argues. Making meals from scratch at home saves money compared to buying prepared foods or eating out, and it also enhances the likelihood that you’ll choose nutritious foods.
According to Professor Pamela Naidoo, CEO of The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, it is crucial that the current high cost of food not become a barrier to healthy eating given the nation’s high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and Type 2 diabetes, which are impacted by an unhealthy diet.
The importance of fresh vegetables and fruit
Naidoo explains how healthy nutrition and physical activity can be used to reduce the risks of developing NCDs. “Around 225 South Africans die from cardiovascular disease every day,” she says.
“The major causes of cardiovascular disease are overweight and obesity, as well as high blood pressure. In general, South African diets tend towards a low consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit, but a high intake of salt, fat and refined carbohydrates.”
Naidoo adds that parents and other adults who are responsible for children must deliberately work to shape their eating habits from an early age. Families wishing to reduce their spending due to growing costs should first think about cutting back on or quitting their usage of alcohol and cigarettes, swapping sugary cold beverages for fresh, clean water, and substituting fresh fruits and vegetables for salty or sweet snacks.
To read the full story on Health For Mzansi, click here.
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