A member of American Society of Nutritionists, Obianuju Onuorah, at Platforms Africa e-Discourse, lists categories of food and drinks people aged 40 and above must avoid
“There is a strong relationship between what we eat and our health. Infact a poor diet remains the strongest predisposing factor to disease,” foremost nutritionist and wellness expert, Obianuju Onuorah, has said as she established a relationship between food or drink consumed and long life or sudden death.
Speaking at the weekly e-Discourse organised by the leading Pan-Africa forum, Platforms Africa, Onuorah who is a member of the American Society of Nutritionists said that the more healthy we eat, the more our immunes are strengthened.
Platforms Africa forum created by Award winning journalist, Adeola Yusuf, is an e-Community of intellectuals, policy moulders and opinion leaders in the continent.
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The first class graduate of nutrition at the University of Nigeria (UNN) advocated prioritization of health goals as much as goals for finance and religion.
“There is a strong relationship between what we eat and our health. Infact a poor diet remains the strongest predisposing factor to disease. The more healthy we eat, the more our immunes are strengthened, our organs are functioning at their peak, our chances of getting a chronic diseases becomes almost non-existent.
Diet is such a strong factor in one’s health that it can even surpress any disease which maybe gotten genetically or as a result of one’s family medical history,” she said.
Speaking further, she said as people grow older, there is need for adequate portion control as neglect to do this overworks the digestive system which may lead to gut inflammation.
She therefore urged for an increase in the intake of vegetables and reduction of animal products.
“You need to have an adequate intake of fruits and vegetables, make water your friend. Avoid soda drinks as well as alcohol drinks. As regards oil intake, avoid foods that are high in fat. Also foods that contain salt or high in salt should be avoided or reduced to the barest minimum. Eat less of red meats or animal products generally. In
It is also important to incorprate whole grained foods in your diet. For instance, instead of taking white bread, go more for brown/whole wheat bread because it’s made from whole grain,” she added.
It is easier for a rich man to afford a healthy lifestyle, according to Onuorah. However, she said being intentional is a more important tool to living a healthy lifestyle.
“Money is an important tool in healthy living but it’s not the only important factor. If not, we won’t be seeing cases of rich persons with chronic diseases. In fact, it is even the rich persons who have these diseases more than an average man.
It’s important that regardless of one’s socioeconomic class or financial capacity, an individual is intentional to make use of his available resources to still live healthy. Instead of spending money to buy some soda drinks, it’s even far more cost effective and healthier to take same money, buy ingredients to make ZOBO drink which is a very healthy drink and you have stores of it at home,” she said.
