Candida Khan
In Trinidad and Tobago, many women are guilty of asking this question: “Is it cheaper to eat well, or are we just being pushed towards supplements instead of real food?”
Prices are unpredictable and some unhealthy foods and supplements are easily available. Different wellness industries are selling “quick fix” capsules as an answer to weight goals.
What is clear is that healthy eating saves lives and helps women to regulate their hormones, metabolism and wellness more effectively. Healthy eating is shaped by where we shop, what’s in season, and local goods. Supplements are advertised as convenient and can feel deceptively more affordable, for example, vitamin C capsules versus eating a citrus fruit.
A healthy diet is classified as fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, lean proteins and whole complex carbohydrates. In Trinidad and Tobago, we are lucky to have so much local produce available with easy access to roadside vendors and small farmers rather than pre-packaged supermarket foods.
Focusing on seasonal fresh produce helps to keep expenses lower. Affordable vegetables can include squash, cabbage, tomato and baigan. Fruits that can be eaten all year round include pawpaw, pineapple, watermelon, and silk fig. My favourite complex carbohydrates include sweet potato, potato, and plantain. Lean sources of protein, for example, beans, turkey and chicken are also available.
Women are usually pressured to plan household meals. This can be difficult when prices, availability of specific foods are based on weather, transportation and seasons. The best part about Trinidad and Tobago is the abundance of seasonal foods, because they are cheap. If we shop seasonally and locally, we can save more.
This requires knowledge, time and flexibility. In June, mangoes can be abundant, in September bodi can be found more often and in December leafy greens are more visible.
Supplements are on the other end of the spectrum of affordability because they promise larger doses of nutrients with vitamins, protein, and other options such as detox teas and collagen drinks aimed towards women’s health, beauty and energy. The prices for supplements are fixed and that can make them appear cheaper than buying fruits, vegetables, carbs, legumes and protein for daily use with fluctuating prices.
The danger is that they have side effects because they are not natural and do not replace dietary fibre, natural hydration, antioxidant benefits and cannot fulfil dietary needs. They can’t build a healthy diet.
Tips to stay healthy and frugal:
1) Weekly shopping to avoid spoilage
2) Sticking to local produce
3) Stick to local markets
4) Shop around to compare prices
Healthy diets in Trinidad and Tobago aren’t necessarily more expensive than supplements, but it is more demanding. The truth is that health is improved with local produce that is balanced and well-portioned with a variety of colours daily.
Candida Khan, MSc RD, also known as Didi is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. She is also the CEO of Didi's Nutrition Consultancy didisconsultancy.com
