“Make your well-being a priority and feed your body healthy food as this is your first wealth.”
This is the message from Department of Biotechnology and Consumer Science lecturer Theloshni Govender, who offers wellness tips, which serve as an educational tool to assist students in making informed and healthier food choices. “There are many opportunities for students to make an informed healthier decision when it comes to food choices. The wellness tips provided is a start in the right direction,” Govender explains.
She offers the following tips:
- Make fruit and vegetables part of every meal.
- Try a new fruit and vegetable weekly.
- Focus on whole foods and reduce convenience foods
- Reduce portion sizes by using a smaller plate during mealtime.
- Drink at least six glasses of water daily.
- Have a vegan or vegetarian meal at least twice a week.
- Include more sustainable fish in your meal.
- Consume legumes and lentils at least three times a week.
- Have your favourite meals in moderation.
- Limit salt and sugary foods.
- Use herbs and spices to add flavour to your food.
- Plan your meals weekly, as this will eliminate your indulging in unhealthy foods.
- Prioritise sleep - at least eight hours a day.
- Exercise for 30 minutes a day.
Govender adds that obesity is a global pandemic and a public health problem in South Africa, which is illustrated by the national health survey results, which show an increase in obesity in young adults. “The main drivers for the increase in obesity include poor eating habits, the marketing of processed foods which are high in fat, and sugar-rich beverages, insufficient physical activity and buying unhealthy food.”
She says according to the World Health Organisation, obesity greatly increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as type two diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers. “Also, there are recent studies which showed that the obese COVID-19 patients get more complications and they take longer to recover.”
Her favourite quote is by Heather Morgan: “Every time you eat or drink, you are either feeding disease or fighting it” For more wellness tips, please contact:
Written by Aphiwe Boyce