Healthy lifestyles cause of rising cost of dietary foods – expert, traders

Dietary foods include cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, egg plant, pumpkin, palm oil, coconut oil and eggs.

Checks on prices of these items by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in markets in Lagos showed that they have risen by over 100 per cent in the last one year.

At the Mile 12 Market, a bag of cabbage now costs N18, 000 against N8000 a year ago, while a bag of cucumber goes for N6000 from N2,500.

At Ikeja, Oniru and Ogudu markets, a medium sized cauliflower costs N600 from N400.

In the four markets, a 500ml bottle of coconut oil now costs N3,500 from N2,500, while 5 kg of palm oil goes for N2,000 from N1,500.

The traders , who spoke to NAN, said an average trader was now aware of the importance of dietary foods to the body, hence the rising prices.

Mrs Adaeze Ogar, Managing Director, Trevo Organic Store, Ogudu, said that rising demand for vegetables and other dietary foods was due to growing awareness and acceptance of wellness and fitness.

According to Ogar, traders are aware that many residents have become conscious of losing weight to remain fit.

“Many people suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and weight related challenges that depended on remedies like supplements, strenuous exercises now have new mindset.

“They have realised that a disciplined lifestyle through one’s food intake would sustain good health and fitness.

“Many have embraced the ketogenic (Keto) and Atkins diet that give low carbohydrate, adequate protein and low fat.

“This adoption of new lifestyles has led to an increase in prices of cucumber, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, egg plants, pumpkin, palm oil, coconut oil and eggs,” she said.

Mrs Mosunmola Bello, a banker, said Keto was a better approach to weight loss, fitness and healthy living compared to quick fix by many people.

She said the prices were high because the average Nigerian knows the consequences of excessive weight.

“On the average, I spend about N20,000 monthly on such ingredients because most of them are perishable produce and energy challenge restricts bulk purchase,” she said.(NAN)