PHOTO: Dr. Annette B. Davies Director of Nutrition at the Health Ministry-Liberia
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network
As Liberians battle the new wave of COVID-19, a nutritionist, wants people to eat more nutritional food while observing the health protocols.
The Director of Nutrition at the Health Ministry Dr. Annette Brimah Davies, asserted that eating proper diet, drinking a lot of water, reducing the consumption of food with lots of oil and taking enough are all important during this period of health crisis in the country.
She named the 5 categories of such food as carbohydrate (rice, plantains, eddoes, etc.), protein food (meat, fish, milk) and benny seeds.
Dr. Davis was speaking in an exclusive interview with the WASH R&E Media Network-Liberia, as part of efforts to promote Nutrition by the Liberia WASH Consortium in partnership with WaterAid Liberia and the government of Liberia through the Health Ministry.
Dr. Davies also added vegetables including cassava Leaf, potatoes, greens, palaver sauce, collard greens and fruits as other foods that are vital to aiding the immune system to combat diseases in the body.
“These nutrient based diversified food help repair the cell and boost the immune system to fight against diseases” she added.
She said many Liberians do not eat balanced diet but are simply accustomed to eating of mainly rice which she said is not a healthy eating habit, stressing that there is a need for more awareness on the importance of eating diversified food.
Dr. Davies also explained that the Health Ministry is carrying on an awareness at health facilities on the importance of eating diversify food. Pregnant women visiting health centers are especially targeted.
The nutritionist disclosed that besides giving breast milk given to babies, nursing mothers are encouraged to also give their babies complementary food after the child reaches six months.
“Rice dust, benny seeds, plantain dust, bony dust, and peanut butter are good for the child”, Dr. Davis pointed out.
She then encouraged Liberians and foreign residents alike to eat nutritional food and to change their perception on consuming nutritional food.
This story was written by the WASH R&E Media Network-Liberia, as part of efforts to promote Nutrition by the Liberia WASH Consortium in partnership with WaterAid Liberia and the government of Liberia through the Health Ministry.