Nutrition, Diet and Health Tips

Did you know that your favorite fruit salad could be doing more harm than good? While you think you’re boosting your health, you might actually be consuming a cocktail of contamination, nutrient clashes, and poor hygiene. The question is: Are you eating smart or just eating?

Picture this: It’s a sunny afternoon in Nairobi, and you’re rushing to grab lunch. You stop by a roadside vendor with a colorful display of pre-packed fruit salads. The vendor greets you with a wide smile, and you quickly choose a pack, thinking, “This will save me money and boost my health.”

But as you take your first bite, do you pause to think about where those fruits came from? Who handled them? How they were stored? Or even how the mix of fruits might affect your digestion or nutrient absorption? Most likely not.

In Kenya, fruit salads have become a popular lunch option, either as a cost-saving measure or as an attempt to boost fiber & Nutrients intake for disease prevention and management of conditions like obesity, indigestion, and skin health. However, many Kenyans consume fruit salads without giving much thought to the combinations or how they might impact overall health.

When it comes to fruit choices, preferences often dictate selection. For instance, some people may avoid pawpaws or avocados due to personal tastes. Others, like me, may eat everything without considering the potential health effects of these combinations.

The Neglected Aspects of Fruit Salads

1. Hygiene and Safety Concerns

Let’s go back to that roadside vendor. Imagine the dust, the flies buzzing around, and the vendor handling money with one hand while packing your fruit salad with the other. This is the reality for many Kenyans.

The Ministry of Health runs WASH campaigns emphasizing handwashing, but what about the food itself? The Nutrition aspects of it? According to WHO, contaminated food causes about 600 million illnesses globally each year, with low-income countries like Kenya bearing the brunt.

2. Ignorance of Food Interactions
Most vendors and consumers overlook the potential interactions of fruit combinations. This lack of awareness can negatively affect digestion, nutrient absorption, and even the effectiveness of medications. As licensed nutritionists, we emphasize:

• Digestion: Certain combinations may disrupt digestive processes; Combinations such as  mixing citrus fruits with milk can cause indigestion.
• Nutrient Interactions: The combination of specific fruits can either enhance or inhibit the absorption and utilization of essential nutrients. For example:
  Pairing citrus fruits and something like tomato fruit enhances iron absorption due to the increased Vitamin C availability.
• Metabolism and Medication: Nutrient interactions can influence metabolism, sometimes counteracting the effects of medications or supplements.

But who is teaching these critical lessons? Not the vendors. Not the consumers. Licensed nutritionists are the ones equipped to address these gaps, yet they’re sidelined in policymaking and public health interventions

As nutritionists, we advocate for proper food selection, preparation, and safety. But let’s be honest—our voices are barely heard. While the Ministry of Health champions other health sectors- as seen in the recent internship agreements- Nutrition professionals are left on the sidelines. And yet, poor dietary practices are literally “eating us alive,” contributing to Obesity, Malnutrition, and Preventable Diseases.

According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, Malnutrition was linked to Poor Dietary Practices. Fruits, often considered the “healthiest” option, can ironically become a health risk when hygiene and Nutrition are ignored.

A Solution: Empowering Vendors and the Public
Imagine this: Vendors trained by licensed Nutritionists, learning not just about Hygiene but also how to create fruit combinations that maximize health benefits. Imagine public awareness campaigns led by Nutritionists in community health units, teaching Kenyans how to eat smart.

Additionally, community health units must include nutrition education campaigns spearheaded by licensed nutritionists to create awareness about:

1. Safe food selection and preparation.
2. The impact of dietary choices on overall health.
3. Eating for a healthy, productive nation

This vision is possible if the Ministry of Health steps up. As George highlights in his article, “Concealed Dangers in Your Fruit Salad: How to Enjoy Them Safely”, we need Nutrition and Safety Training Manuals and policies that prioritize Nutrition Professionals in Public Health campaigns.

The Division of Nutrition should prioritize dispatching qualified Nutrition Officers to educate vendors and the public on safe and nutritious food practices.

Call to Action: Let’s Build a Healthier Kenya
To my fellow Kenyans: The next time you buy a fruit salad, ask yourself, “Is it safe? Is it nutritious? Am I making the best choice for my health?”

To the Ministry of Health: It’s time to empower Nutrition professionals and create a safer, Healthier food environment. Nutrition is not just a department—it’s the backbone of public health.

Signed with love 💕,

Lilian Mutanu Mumina,

Registered Dietitian,

Mumina Wellness Solutions.

+254723899429.

muminawellness@gmail.com.