Experts canvass good eating habits to improve health, wellbeing

With the high rate of malnutrition and undernutrition ravaging the country, experts have reiterated the need for the populace to embrace good eating habits.

They said that good eating habits entails the intake of less carbohydrate and more vegetables, which supply the requisite vitamins needed to nourish the body.

Director, South West, Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN), Chef Nick Maaji, in a programme to mark the International Chefs Day with some selected schools in Ogun state said, “eating well does not entail you must have money, with little money you can eat balanced diet.”

Maaji said the day offers chefs around the globe a unique opportunity to network, promote the profession to future chefs and most importantly, make a difference in their local communities through making healthy eating fun and exciting for kids and exposing them to the culinary profession.

Reflecting on the theme, ‘How Healthy Food Works,’ the director said they are delighted to engage the children on how to prepare healthy food because the more children are involved in the choice and preparation of food, the more likely they will choose healthy food options.

Also, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Nestlé Nigeria, Victoria Uwadoka, said the event is one of the ways they contribute towards helping children live healthier lives.

She added: “It is important we understand the nutritional value of what we eat and how to combine those nutritional value and make sure they have adequate nutrition.

“Through our global flagship programme, ‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids’, the children we have hosted from the participating schools in Ogun, we hope they will not only practice all they have learned today, but will also share the knowledge they have received on how healthy food works with their friends and parents.”

Uwadoka also noted that Nestlé and the Association of Chefs Nigeria organise this event annually to raise awareness of adequate diets and active lifestyles to equip children to form healthier nutrition habits earlier to promote healthier future.

Director, Social Mobilization, Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Motunrayo Egunjobi, said the event has been a great learning experience not only for the kids but also for everyone.

She enjoined the public to ply the route of good eating habit in order to avoid certain ailments.