Eating your way to heart health

THERE'S no need to give up your favourite food just to eat healthy, says respected dietitian Mbali Mapholi.

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On a mission to improve heart health in the country, she says that by tweaking certain ingredients, you can ensure your dish is wholesome.

The steps to do that are contained in her newly released book, Inkonjane: A Nutrition Guide to Heart Health.

Mapholi says that high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stroke are among the top co-morbidities in South Africa, and research shows that at some point, the majority of South Africans will end up with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Apart from the cases she encountered in her practice, the issue is personal.

"My dad had high blood pressure almost all my life, and then at some point in 2001, complications related to that claimed his life. In 2016 I lost my grandmother as well, due to a stroke which is a complication of high blood pressure."

This inspired her to craft an easy-to-use roadmap to health through her book.

She describes it as a heart-first guide to everyday eating that supports better cardiovascular health, but more importantly, it's rooted in African heritage and community.