Adopt healthy eating to alleviate hunger and malnutrition- UG Prof.

Professor at University of Ghana’s Nutrition and Food Science Department Matilda Steiner-Asiedu has urged the public to adopt healthy eating to alleviate hunger and malnutrition, adding that ‘you are what you eat’

According to the Nutrition Professor, features of quality diet include variety, moderation, calorie control, balance, adequacy and safety because hunger sometimes means one is unable to meet nutritional needs since an individual can be suffering from hidden hunger.

Apart from that, individuals must consider factors that build good nutrition. First of all is food system that includes all the elements such environment, people, inputs, processes, infrastructures, institutions, etc. and activities that relate to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food and the outputs of these activities, including socioeconomic and environmental outcomes.

Speaking to African Editors after media training organized by Nestlé Ghana Ltd and Ghana Journalists Association on “Inspiring better nutrition: the role of media”, on Thursday 7 October 2021 in Accra, the University of Ghana’s Nutrition and Food Science Professor Matilda Steiner-Asiedu said “You’re what you eat. Food safety is the assurance that the food will not cause harm to the consumer when it’s prepared and /or eaten according to its intended purpose devoid of food hazards”.

Food groups needed include:
Carbohydrates & Lipids- These are energy giving foods such cereals, starchy roots and tubers. Fats and oil.

Proteins– These are body building foods such as Animal proteins (MFP, snails, insects).
Plants proteins (Legumes, seeds, nuts).

Minerals & Vitamins– These include protective foods such as fruits and vegetables.

Water– quality of water for cooking food and drinking.

Physical activity

Prof. Steiner-Asiedu noted that interventions such as “increased food safety, nutrition education for healthy choices, increased dietary diversity, food supplementation and food fortifications” are crucial in meeting important components of good diet.

University of Ghana Nutrition and Food Science Professor Matilda Steiner-Asiedu has also urged the media to lead advocacy on good nutrition, intensify education and appropriate communication to help alleviate hunger and malnutrition in line with United Nations sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Contributing to the debate, Quality Assurance Manager of Nestle Ghana Ltd Raphael Sitsofe Kuwornu said “We have systems in place to ensure reliability of results in Nestle to deliver quality”.

Meanwhile, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager in Charge of Coastal Cruster (Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone) Deborah Kwablah says Nestle Ghana Ltd holds itself to quality standards.

Source: africaneditors.com

Below are exclusive pictures from the training: