One of the vital issues amongst the plethora of problems plaguing the country Nigeria since she gained her independence is the nation’s abject state of poverty and malnutrition. The average Nigerian is unable to feed on less than $2 a day. The old maxim that says, “You are what you eat” holds very true in a nation where the staple foods all come from nutrient depleted soils; hence the deficient population. Since income is low and the economy is in a deplorable state, majority of the masses resort to diets devoid of important nutrients necessary for healthy living.
There is only a limited amount of food you can eat in a single day. To maximize the amount of nutrients you take in, it makes sense to spend your calorie budget wisely. Calories are a unit of measurement used to measure energy gotten from food sources.
The best way to do that is to simply eat the foods that carry the greatest amount and variety of nutrients.
Sadly, the average Nigerian is more concerned about the “cost” and the “affordability” of a meal, rather than its nutritional value. An individual would prefer to eat white bread and cola drinks or pastries soaked and fried with oil just because the food is cheap and readily available.
This brings us to the core issue, which is Protein Deficiency and how can it be tackled effectively.
Protein Deficiency is simply the lack or deficit of protein and amino acids in our bodies’ dietary intake. It is synonymous with a negative nitrogen balance. The deficiency can result from a protein-deficient diet or other events, such as diseases.
Research by great researchers (Our World in Data) shows that over one billion people worldwide have protein deficiency (nutrient deficiency), of which three hundred million are Africans. These stats show how malnourished Africans are.
The first thing that comes to an individual’s mind when one hears about protein deficiency is Kwashiorkor, but that’s not all there is to protein deficiency. Since Proteins are made up of smaller building blocks called amino acids, found in almost all parts of the body; a shortage of protein will not just cause a mild malady or ailment— it will cause marasmus {severe undernourishment causing significant weight loss}, hepatomegaly {abnormal enlargement of the liver} and even edema {swelling of the hands and feet}.
So, how do we tackle this difficulty?
• Creating Public Awareness: The populace must be well informed about Protein Deficiency and malnutrition in general. We know today that it is virtually impossible to design a calorie-sufficient diet, whether it is based on meat, fish, eggs, various vegetarian diets or even unprocessed whole natural plant foods. So adequately informing the public (from the rural areas and grass roots) is the first step to resolving this issue.
• Eating Right: Having a healthier, more balanced diet is the surest way to tackle protein deficiency. Eating "fortified" foods that contain extra nutrients is key to a healthy lifestyle. People need to understand that it is more valuable to eat protein rich meals — even on a low income than to eat junk or fast foods. Plant fruits, eats fruits and vegetables, eat protein rich foods.
• Exercising Regularly: Did you know you could be protein deficient even if you eat a lot of protein? It’s true! When an individual eats the wrong kinds of protein, (e.g. red meats) frequently, Obesity occurs. Obesity or over nourishment, is defined as the dietary energy intake which exceeds requirements for the maintenance of a healthy bodyweight. Exercises help reduce obesity and improve the overall health of an individual.
Look at it this way. Every time you breathe, walk or even run, you need protein. Maintaining your current muscle mass, and keeping up with daily demands, requires protein. Keeping your immune system strong requires protein.
Countless processes require protein on a regular basis just for normal survival. So, if you’re not getting enough proper protein, or only getting enough for your everyday needs, then it’s time to make changes to your overall lifestyle.
Comments