Nigerians are being urged to “grow what they eat and eat what they grow,” as the cost of basic food items continues to rise, making it difficult for the average person to stick to a healthy eating habit.
Muhammed-Jamiu Adeniyi Yusuf, a medical doctor and immediate past president of the Association of Resident Doctors, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (ARD-UITH), shared this advice during an interview with our correspondent.
He emphasized the importance of adopting sustainable and healthy practices amidst the current economic instability.
Yusuf highlighted the increasing cost of living, which has made accessing basic food items a significant challenge for many Nigerians now.
To address this, he encouraged people to turn to local recipes and meals that are readily available and affordable within their communities.
“To maintain proper nutrition despite these challenges, my advice is for people to look inward. As the green economy is being advocated, we should strive to have small gardens within our homes where we can grow some of these essentials without incurring high costs.”
He further noted that the cost implications of relying on markets for food and other necessities are overwhelming for most families.
“We encourage people to consume natural fruits and consider returning to the traditional practice of farming. This ensures access to affordable and nutritious food, which is essential for achieving a balanced diet. After all, a healthy nation is a wealthy nation,” he stated.
Yusuf equally stressed the benefits of homemade meals. “Homemade food is crucial because it allows you to monitor the nutritional value of what you eat. It’s prepared in a hygienic environment, with clean equipment, and consumed with peace of mind, knowing exactly what goes into your body. Most importantly, it helps save costs,” he explained.
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