The original article can be found in: The Barbados Advocate By Patricia Thangaraj
A poor diet and sedentary lifestyle are the main contributors to persons getting chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs).
This was revealed by Lennox Prescod, Health and Wellness Consultant at the Knights Health Advantage Club – Health and Wellness Programme, who spoke with the Barbados Advocate at the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC) Farmers’ Market recently.
He stated that this is why the Knights Club presence at Farmers’ Markets is so vital, because they get a chance to meet and talk with Barbadians from all walks of life about adopting the correct eating and exercise habits. They also conduct blood pressure, blood sugar and total cholesterol tests as well as body mass index (BMI) and then offer appropriate counseling based on the results.
“One of the biggest problems with CNCDs is that persons are not eating more balanced meals and not enough fruits and vegetables, especially yams, sweet potatoes and cassava, as well as not eating reduced portions of certain foods.”
A proper portion size includes a one eight-ounce cup of carbohydrates such as rice, but persons often tend to eat more than this and while the majority of persons may not eat enough fruits and vegetables, you have to be careful not to eat too much of fruits because they contain sugar. One portion size would vary from fruit to fruit but includes six to eight grapes as opposed to eating the whole bag or a six inch banana instead of eating the large banana and one small apple, explained Prescod.
Persons should also drink more water and fruit juices and stay away from the sodas. It is also advisable for persons to blend their own fruit juices at home since many of the fruit juices that are sold in the markets are not 100 per cent natural.Another diet change that Barbadians need to make is to eat more natural foods and less processed foods. He stated that processed foods such as the cooking cubes and hot sauce contain a lot of sodium, which is obviously bad for the health. Instead, persons can use seasonings such as rosemary, basil and hot peppers to season their meals.
When eating sodium, persons must bear in mind that only 2 300 milligrams of sodium for normal persons and 1 500 milligrams of sodium for persons with CNCDs per day is allowed. Therefore, reading labels at the supermarkets before purchasing items is important.
He stated that persons often opt for fast foods because it is easier for persons with busy lifestyles and while he is not advocating a complete withdrawal from fast foods, what is he stating is that everything should be eaten in moderation.
Prescod said that persons often opt for fast foods because they are easier for persons with hectic schedules and they tend to be tastier to the palate. However, there are foods such as salads that you can make that do not take up too much time and there are also ways of cooking that can make healthy foods more likeable to the palate.
Meanwhile, persons do not have an excuse for not exercising, for instance saying that they do not have the time or cannot afford to go to a gym, because they can get their exercise from anywhere including walking and skipping, said Prescod.
