Healthy food CAN get along with a budget | Healthy food CAN get along with a budget | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/Economic-Development-Header.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <p><strong><em><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:"century gothic", sans-serif;">As City Health bites into National Nutrition Week<span style="color:#1f497d;"> </span>from 9 to 15 October 2022, the message is that there are no
barriers to healthy eating, and in keeping with this year’s theme, the
department aims to<span style="color:#1f497d;"> </span>'Make Healthy Food
Choices Easier'. </span></em></strong><br></p> | <p>National Nutrition Week is all about education, awareness and information sharing on the many benefits of nutrition, and how healthy eating can find a home in your family. </p><p>With the increased living costs, many people are of the view that it is not possible to eat healthier, given the perceived price tag of healthy foods.</p><p>'Starches and carbohydrates like rice, potatoes, pap and bread are the default for many in our country, because it goes further, and are considered more filling. However, these and a range of other favourites, including sugar, are also contributing to our increased incidence of lifestyle diseases like diabetes, cholesterol and hypertension. My challenge to residents this Nutrition Week is to step outside their comfort zone, and to reassess their and their family's eating habits, and what goes onto their grocery list,' said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.</p><p><strong>Tips to ensure healthier options on your plate include:</strong></p><ul><li>Preparing a meal plan for the week and/or month</li><li>Compiling a shopping list for the required ingredients, based on your budget</li><li>Buying fruit and vegetables that are in season, as these are likely to be cheaper</li><li>Introducing a meat-free option, using alternative affordable protein sources like beans, lentils and soya which is not subjected to Value Added Tax (VAT)</li><li>Keep salt and sugar to a minimum when preparing meals</li><li>Eat smaller portions </li><li>Minimise processed starchy foods</li></ul>Try keeping to regular meals or snack times and ensure you have healthier options readily available<br><br> <br>'It can be incredibly daunting to make changes when one is so accustomed to doing things a certain way, but I encourage the public to start small. Swap white bread for brown bread, perhaps substitute potatoes with sweet potatoes, reduce the amount of sugar in your coffee by just one spoon, and then think of the cost of a takeaway versus spending that money on a home-cooked meal. <br><br> <br><br>'We need to think of what we eat, and who is watching. Our children emulate our habits, and so we need to lead by example, so that the youth can make informed decisions about the benefits of balanced nutrition in improving their overall quality of life. So let us get to making those healthy choices – one meal at a time,' added Councillor van der Ross.<br><br> <br><br>For detailed information on nutrition and the many reasons for healthy eating visit: <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Nutritional-health/Why-eat-healthily" target="_blank">https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Personal-health/Nutritional-health/Why-eat-healthily</a><br><br> <br><br> <br><br><strong>End</strong><br><p><br></p> | 2022-10-06T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#9b801330-4dbb-4239-908a-b02a4bd77413;L0|#09b801330-4dbb-4239-908a-b02a4bd77413|Health education;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#940e8c94-b884-4db4-b817-cf97ad1ecb67;L0|#0940e8c94-b884-4db4-b817-cf97ad1ecb67|nutrition;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |