Are you malnourished? Find out how to stay healthy on a budget

AN iron deficiency in children under two years of age can have a significant and irreversible effect on brain development while an adult who neglects variety in their diet can face malnutrition.

This is according to Professor Suna Kassier, who was reflecting on National Nutrition Week, observed from 9 to 15 October. As many families face a financial crisis amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, Kassier, who is head of the Dietetics and Human Nutrition Department at UKZN, offers strapped-for-cash shoppers a few tips to select the best for their budgets.

“Purchase fortified bread and maize. However, don’t assume that it is fortified. Check for the ‘Fortified for better health’ logo on the packaging. Cut down on meat, fish and chicken and replace with beans, split peas, lentils and baked beans,” she said. ​

A healthy diet should include a variety of food to prevent malnutrition.

Also read: Domino Foundation celebrates 16 years

“In this context ‘mal’, refers to incorrect nutrition,” said Kassier.

She explained that malnutrition can present itself as both undernutrition which can be a result of a diet that’s lacking in the amount and variety of food or overnutrition when someone consumes too much energy in relation to how active they are.

“Overweight and obese individuals do not necessarily consume too much food, as weight problems are also linked to the type of foods consumed. For example foods that are highly processed, in addition to being high in fat and or sugar. Furthermore, just because somebody is not underweight does not mean that their diet contains a wide variety of foods,” added Kassier.

When somebody does not eat a variety of foods for an extended period of time, they could lack numerous vitamins and minerals. This is especially important for children.

Also read: Vegetable gardens bring hope to Malacca Rose settlement

“If children do not consume enough energy, protein, vitamins and minerals over an extended period of time, they will not be able to grow at the rate they are meant to grow,” she explained.

Sufficient iron intake is especially important for proper brain development. Food rich in iron include: fortified maize meal, fortified cereals, meat such as mince, chicken, fish, liver, green vegetables such as spinach and legumes such as beans.

“Equally important is that young children should be dewormed regularly, as worms can contribute to malabsorption of iron from the gut, in addition to blood loss,” said Kassier.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).  

You can also sign up for news alerts on Telegram. Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5532.  

Here’s where you can download Telegram on Android or Apple.