A budget healthy diet is doable

Healthy eating on a budget, local dieticians share practical advice. While the rising cost of living continues to affect households across Cape Town, local dieticians say eating healthily is more affordable and accessible than many realise.

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Not only is a healthy diet essential in preventing and treating chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, but it is also a powerful act of self-care.

During Dieticians Week, which ran from Monday 2 to Sunday 7 June under the theme "Your health, our mission: Talk to a dietitian", health-care professionals across the province were working to dispel the myth that nutritious food is out of reach for the average household," said Kristi Overmeyer, a dietician based at Heideveld Community Day Clinic.

"Healthy eating is perceived to be expensive. We have noticed that the communities we serve have financial constraints and this leads to food insecurity."

Quanita Salaam, a dietician at Mitchells Plain Community Health Centre, echoed the concern. She said limited income, reliance on spaza shops that often lack fresh produce and a general lack of knowledge about nutrition are major obstacles to healthier living.

"Many people are unaware of how to read food labels, balance meals or make healthier swaps. For example, people often believe fruit juice is always healthy, even though many are filled with added sugar."