How processed foods feed chronic health conditions

For many Zambians, grabbing a soft drink, […]

For many Zambians, grabbing a soft drink, burger, pizza or other convenient meal has become part of everyday life.

But as these eating habits become more common, nutrition experts are warning that the choices people make at the dining table could be contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

 Nutrition Association of Zambia Secretary General Ackim Nkhuwa says Zambia needs a mindset shift on food, with people encouraged to eat more diverse diets and reduce their dependence on sugary, processed and convenience foods.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT Nkhuwa said poor nutrition is not only about failing to eat enough food, but can also involve consuming too much of the wrong types of food.

“Poor nutrition means there is both undernutrition and overnutrition,” he said.

He said overnutrition, particularly excessive consumption of sugary and processed foods, can increase the risk of conditions such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes, among other NCDs. Nkhuwa said the country should therefore focus more on prevention rather than waiting for people to become sick before seeking medical attention.

“We are good at enforcing our regulatory aspect, but for us to put a measure of preventive aspect and curative aspect, we don’t marry the two,” he said.

He said more nutritionists should be available to educate communities about healthy eating and help people make informed dietary choices before developing lifestyle-related diseases. “There is supposed to be a mindset shift.

 We need to go back to eating indigenous foods and limit convenient foods consumption,” Nkhuwa said.

However, he said changing eating habits does not mean completely abandoning fast food. “Shutting down can never happen, and it’s not a solution for now.

The solution is mindset change,” he said. “Let them eat the Hun

gry Lions, but let them eat some fruit, eat enough vegetables, drink a lot of water,” he added.

Nkhuwa said healthy eating can also be achieved using locally available foods, even as households face economic challenges.

 He said people can combine different affordable foods to achieve greater dietary diversity, rather than relying heavily on one type of food. “As much as the economy is biting, there are proteins in chunks. Even an egg,” he said.

 Nkhuwa said consuming foods from different food groups is important in meeting the body’s nutritional requirements.

“For you to reach a daily recommended intake or allowance, you’re supposed to eat at least food from six groups a day,” he said, citing fruits, vegetables, milk and milk products, cereals, proteins and nuts among the food groups. He also said the country needs to strengthen nutrition education because many people only think about their diet after developing health problems.

 “Our friends, for them to be rich, they know what to do,” he said, arguing that greater awareness of healthy diets could help people make better choices.

Nkhuwa further questioned whether enough attention is being given to the nutritional implications of ingredients used in processed foods and beverages.

 He said food regulation should go beyond checking whether products meet basic standards and should also involve experts capable of interpreting the nutritional implications of ingredients used in food production.

“We need someone to interpret and say, okay, the level of these things you are putting in our people,” he said.

Nkhuwa said Government also spends considerable resources treating NCDs, making prevention an important part of reducing the longterm burden on the health system.

 “Government spends a lot of money on curative aspects to buy medicines because medicines for these conditions are very expensive,” he said.

He urged Zambians to become more conscious of what they eat and make greater use of locally available and indigenous foods.

Article by Karen Ngulube