Healthy foods for the family

STAYING at home and not eating healthy is an invitation to Non-Communicable Diseases, according to 75-year-old Jay Wati of Koronivia in Nausori.

The Suva market vendor has been selling fresh fruits and vegetables for the past 35 years, making sure she supplies fresh produce daily so her customers can eat healthy foods.

She said the continuing change in our lifestyle had contributed much to NCDs.

“People’s eating and living lifestyle is continuously changing,” Ms Wati said.

“People are consuming unhealthy foods compared to our traditional meals, which were much healthier.

“They like to eat from restaurants without realising that most food sold in restaurants is unhealthy.

“These are the types of foods that contribute a lot to NCDs. They are cooked in unhealthy oil which ultimately harms us.”

Ms Wati said those who have a family history of heart attacks and diabetes need to be careful of what they eat.

“They should cut down consumption of butter, salt and sugar if, genetically, heart attacks or diabetes run through their family history.

“This leads to premature deaths if we continue to eat unhealthy foods.”

Ms Wati said women at home also play a major role in keeping their family healthy.

“If they cook healthy, their family members will eat healthy and stay healthy.

“Instead of oils that contain lots of fat, use re ned oils with no fat. Avoid preparing such foods which contain lots of sugar and salt.

“Red meat could be substituted with sh and chicken. Eat more fresh green vegetables. Try growing some of them at home.”

Ms Wati said working mothers also prepare unhealthy breakfasts and lunches for their family.

“They are always in a rush, so most of their breakfast and lunch includes meals prepared in a short time and these meals mostly are unhealthy.

“So, we as mothers have to think seriously about how those meals will affect our children’s health.

Ms Wati wakes up early to cook before going to the market.

“I hardly buy from restaurants. Remember, our health depends on what we eat.

“Most people these days are working, they do light jobs and they hardly sweat. They hardly exercise.

“So, the unhealthy foods which they eat contributes to NCDs.”