How to eat healthy during the festive season — Expert

A public health nutritionist, Dr Florence Uchendu, has advised the public to be mindful of how they eat during the festive season in order not to endanger their health.

During festive seasons such as Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations, some people have a penchant for eating a whole lot of things and sometimes overdoing it.

Dr Uchendu, who is also a nutritional epidemiologist said, “people should be deliberate, intentional and cautious about what they eat during festive seasons, especially those that have health challenges like cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, hypertension, or obesity among others.”

She said there is no benefit from over-eating during the festive season, and then falling sick after.

The expert warned against gluttony and excessive consumption of food, saying people could develop obesity and diabetes after the season if they don’t control what and how they eat.

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“Some people eat and continue to eat even when their bodies are telling them it is okay; as if they must finish all the food in one day. They would eat much, and after 30 minutes eat again.

“People eat excessive chicken, turkey, rice, and so on during the period. Some will say ‘let the food be in my stomach instead of it remaining in the pot. Which is very wrong. Gluttony also leads to obesity,” she said.

She also advised the public to reduce the intake of over-salted food and fried foods, saying they increase the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases.

She said, “We should limit the salt we put in foods and also reduce fried foods. Many fried meat are over-salted. People put excessive salt in fried meats leading to excessive consumption of salts in chicken and fried meats.”

The public health nutritionist also said it is important to eat varieties of foods rather than restricting oneself to only rice and stew, carbonated drinks and pastries during festive seasons.

She said there should be increased consumption of vegetables and fruits during the period.

“People should limit pastries, and cook varieties of foods including local dishes, and vegetable soups and salads.

“Pastries are mostly over-salted as they put salt to make them last longer. If you are diabetic and hypertensive and indulge in pastries during the season, there is a tendency that your blood pressure might increase.

“Reduce carbonated drinks. They often contain high sugar content and increase your blood sugar level. Even people who don’t have diabetes might develop it after the festive period because of what they eat.

Consume fruits bananas, oranges, etc and even water,” she said.

While decrying excessive alcohol intake during the period, she advised that everything should be done in moderation.

“Avoid salty foods, excessive fried foods, and alcohol. Eat a lot of fruits, vegetables and vegetable salads with less salad cream.

“The season is not all about eating, be cautious about what you eat so you don’t finish eating and end up with health challenges,” Dr Uchendu advised.