Eating Right For Healthy Life

A healthy lifestyle is measured by diet, exercise and sleep. Nigeria is one of the most populated countries  in Africa. The perception of Nigerians on the aspect of eating healthy encompasses many factors such as, socio-economic and cultural. In Nigeria, eating healthy can be difficult to achieve because of unavailability of resources to purchase healthy fruits and foods. In the United States of America, USA, healthy fruits and vegetables are more expensive than buying unhealthy food such as fast foods and junks.  Eating right can help prevent weight gains, and health issues such as obesity, hypertension etc.
Healthy eating has been the rave for the last two or three years. More and more people are becoming aware of the impact of unhealthy eating but complain that it is impossible to maintain this style of eating in Nigeria because it is simply too expensive. Eating healthy on a budget can certainly seem impossible when organic and natural foods can seem scarce and more expensive. The good news is that eating healthy does not mean that you have to break the bank. You can actually eat healthy real food on a budget in Nigeria.Fresh produce is always great, but the cost can add up fast. Fruits and vegetables can vary tremendously in price, depending on the time of year and the source especially strawberries, kale, mangoes. Fruits and vegetables are seasonal.
When most people think vegetables, they think vegetables that are imported. Nigeria has a wide range of delicious and affordable healthy vegetables that with little research can be made into scrumptious nutritious meals. For example, pumpkin leaves which are locally known as Ugu is a leafy vegetable used for both culinary and medicinal purposes. It is rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and folic acid, vitamins A, C and, k and lots of minerals.  it improves blood count, helps manage diabetes and cholesterol levels. It is used for various meals including Eforiro soup, Okra soup, Edikaikong etc. Another vegetable is Jute leaves also known as Ewedu. Once it is blended, it becomes slimy and has the same consistency as Okra. It is an excellent source of fibre, it is low in calories but high in vitamins, in  herbal medicine, it is used to control or prevent dysentery, worm infestation and constipation. Poor eating and feeding practices start from the earliest days of a child’s life.
In Nigeria, malnutrition remains a major public health and development concern. As children begin transiting to soft or solid foods around the six-month, many are introduced to the wrong kind of diet . As children grow older, their exposure to unhealthy food becomes alarming, driven largely by inappropriate marketing and advertising, the abundance of ultra-processed foods in cities but also in remote areas, and increasing access to fast food and highly sweetened beverages. When it comes to our health, the food we put in our body can have a significant effect, especially when it comes to our heart. Weight gain, physical inactivity, stress, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity can greatly increase the risks of heart disease and various cancers.
The food we eat gives our bodies the information and fuel it needs to properly function. If it does not get the right information, our metabolic processes can suffer and our health can decline. It is essential to have good nutrition based on healthy eating habits to enable you  stay healthy, active, and live a longer life. The nutrition you put in your body can help you avoid certain diseases that can put your life at risk and cause your health to deteriorate.The  nutrients from the food we put in our bodies give our cells the ability to perform their necessary functions. In other words, giving our bodies the right nutrients can help you grow to a healthier version of yourself. Thinking about food from this aspect goes beyond calories and good food versus bad food. You need to focus on the foods you are putting in your body versus the foods you are excluding.Look at food as a way to fuel your body and help fight cardiovascular diseases.
The food we eat goes through a digestive process. Part of this process involves absorbing vitamins and minerals from that food and distributing it into the blood stream which leads to the blood vessels, coronary arteries, and the heart muscle. Depending on what types of food you  eat,  your heart can pump harder and exert more energy. This could eventually lead to heart failure and a heart attack.Your sodium intake plays a major role in affecting your heart rate and blood pressure. By consuming salty foods, your body will retain water to dilute the blood volume. This causes more blood to circulate throughout your body and your heart to work harder. Poor nutrition is caused by putting the wrong types of food in your body that do not have the nutrients that we need most. These foods include ones that are low in fibre and vitamins or are high in fat, sugar, and salt. While many of the packaged foods we purchase at the grocery store meet our taste bud requirements, the way they are packaged and stored may strip the food of the nutrients our body requires and eliminate your chance of healthy weight loss.
Poor nutrition can also be caused by overeating. If you are taking in more calories than you are burning each day, even if these are the “right” foods,  it can eventually cause weight gain and lead to obesity. If you suffer from being overweight or obsessed, this can lead to diabetes and heart problems.  On the other hand, if you are under eating you could be depriving your body of the nutrients it needs. Those who suffer from diseases such as anorexia or bulimia are just as much in jeopardy of heart complications and disease as those who over eat. If you are concerned about the number of calories you are putting in your body it is best to discuss with your doctor or nutrition and dietetics expert.
Poor nutrition can affect your health in many ways, not only can it lead to certain diseases but it can also affect your mental health, energy levels, complexion, and your overall well being. In the short term, poor nutrition can contribute to stress, tiredness, and reduce  our capacity to work.

By:  Favour Harry