It’s not easy for one to stick to a healthy diet, or get the time for exercise. Health experts point out that people nowadays are not keen on what they take in as food. This, they say, has led to lifestyle diseases that can be avoided if one embraces nutrition.

IT IS EASY TO ADOPT AN UNHEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Joseph Uwiragiye, head of nutrition department at University Teaching Hospital Kigali (CHUK), says today’s lifestyle affects people’s nutrition, because it has direct effects on food choices.

In fact, he notes that lifestyle is among the factors that push people to choose what to eat, and in so doing, they do not eat well and put their health at risk.

"The way people live can affect the choice of their food, in developing countries, including Rwanda, people work quite a distance away from their homes.”

He says that this is the reason why many opt for restaurants, and are limited to unhealthy food choices.

"This gives them limited options; in short, they have to consume what has been prepared there. Because of time, these foods are normally not prepared well and eating them regularly has an impact on one’s health,” he says.

Uwiragiye says that this leads to a high level of energy intake, as most foods prepared are high in calories and dangerous to one’s health. It means that the energy intake and what is being spent is not balanced.

For one to get it right as far as nutrition is concerned, they should make sure the energy intake is balanced with what they spend.

Isaac Bikorimana, a Kigali-based nutritionist, says when one embraces this lifestyle (eating in restaurants) for a long period of time, it becomes easy to acquire lifestyle related diseases because of being exposed to eating the foods that are not compatible with their bodies and dietary requirements.

Similarly, he points out that there are also high possibilities of people going for junk or fast food, which is not healthy. All this, he says, is because of the limited time people have.

FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL NEEDS

Private Kamanzi, a nutritionist and dietician at Amazon Complimentary Therapy in Remera, Kigali, says socio-economic factors can lead to variation in nutrient intake, and it can also impact nutrient requirements.

He says that lifestyle has an impact on people’s food choices, and when they are affected, they will directly consume the food that does not meet their dietary requirements.

For instance, he notes that in adolescent and university students, adopting the habit of eating fast food is very easy; adding that this is because studying is also a lifestyle.

"While studying, one has to stay in school depending on their choice. This makes them consume foods around their place of study, which in most cases is junk food,” he says.

He adds that this in the long run can have impact on their health, as one consumes this kind of food for a long time.

Pregnant women, Kamanzi says, can also be affected. He explains that sometimes, they too are forced to feed on a diet that doesn’t meet the nutrition requirements.

"For an expectant mother to consume foods that are available, rather than what is recommended, not only puts her health at risk, but that of the inborn child as well,” he says.

Kamanzi says that people consume fast food yet they spend little to no time doing exercise.

FOOD CHOICES

Professor Joseph Mucumbisti, a paediatrician at King Faisal Hospital, Kigali, and president of Rwanda Heart Foundation, says ‘convenient’ is the first factor that can affect what one chooses to eat.

"When we talk of convenient, it means that people will always go for those foods that are ready to eat, which is junk food in restaurants, simply because of their tight schedule,” he says.

He adds that people opt for that because they are convenient. And because of this, it’s very easy for one to take on this lifestyle. 

Time is another factor; Mucumbitsi explains that the time people take to prepare food affects what they choose to eat.

"Most foods that are healthy require time to prepare, for instance vegetables. One has to wash them thoroughly and when it comes to cooking, make sure you prepare them without losing the vitamins they contain. This can’t be achieved by someone who is pressed for time,” he notes.

Because of this, it’s likely that one will end up eating fast food from a restaurant.

Another factor affecting the choice of food is taste. Here, Kamanzi says, preparing food in a bad way makes it lose its natural taste.

He explains that most people, or restaurants, tend to add artificial flavours to restore the taste. These flavours are not good for consumption and can lead to health complications.

"Foods have their natural taste, because of the presence of mineral salts and vitamins which also give the food its aroma. They are lost when such foods are not prepared well,” he says.

WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?

Uwiragiye says people should always try to remain healthy eating, however busy they are. He adds that this is the only way to prevent them from getting lifestyle related diseases like diabetes and hypertension, among others.

He advises that if one doesn’t get enough time to prepare their own food in a healthy way, they should go for what won’t put their health at risk.

Avoid oily restaurant food and junk.

He advises that in the morning, one should make sure they have a heavy breakfast before going to work. The breakfast, he says, should include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and whole grain.

This, Uwiragiye says, will help them stay full for a long time. At lunch time, he says, go for healthy snacks. One can look for fresh juice or pudding, or any other snack that is healthy.

For dinner, however, prepare a light meal. A plate of vegetables with a glass of low-fat milk can work.

He warns that people should drop the perception that having a heavy dinner means it is okay to skip breakfast in the morning.

However, people with dietary issues, Uwiragiye says, should first consult physicians before making any choice.

From work, he says, people should embrace the culture of walking, which is not hard as with time, one will get used to it.

Experts share their views

Parents should develop a habit of preparing healthy food. When it starts from home, it’s easy for children to get used to a healthy way of eating, which will guarantee a healthy lifestyle for the young generation.

Francis Kazungu, General practitioner

***********************

Swapping sugary treats for fresh vegetables and fruits is not as hard as people think. There are many affordable vegetables in the market that will boost our health.

Claudine Uwajeneza, Nurse

***********************

Getting screened once in a while is important, it helps one check their level of cholesterol, glucose, blood sugar and BMI. If a problem is found, getting assistance early saves lives.

Gonzalue Niyigaba, Medic at University Teaching Hospital Kigali

***********************

People living with diseases like diabetes should stick to the right diet and follow their treatment schedule as prescribed by their physician. This helps to keep the disease under control and also prevents them from developing further complications.

Joseph Uwiragiye, Nutritionist

editorial@newtimes.co.rw