Harmattan is actually dusty wind from the Sahara that blows toward the western coast of Africa during the dry season.
The uncomfortable
continuous blowing of dry-dusty winds throughout the day brings along an increased risk of the proliferation of food related diseases as the generous winds carries with it
a whole lot harmful pathogens/germs. Also, there is an increased risk of contracting
infections especially common
cold.
Some of the dietary
tips you should think of adopting in harmattan are as follows;
DRINKING LOTS OF
WATER
The dryness of the
harmattan causes you to lose lots of body fluids through perspiration. After a
while outdoor, you feel dryness of the throat and it’s a sign of ongoing fluid lose. A consequence of this harmattan-induced
dehydration is manifested in you having dry and sticky lips(mouth),
sleeplessness or tiredness, thirst, decreased urine output, few or no tears
when crying, dry skin, light-headedness, constipation, dizziness or,
restlessness, “cracking of lips and feet” and lose of concentration.
We thus
recommend that you don’t just follow the rule of drinking eight (8) to ten (10)
glasses of water (7-8 sachet water) daily but consider making your meals
moister. Drink water regularly
throughout the day and not wait to feel like it.
When you have a good
fluid balance in your body, it aids in keeping you sharp-minded and allows you
to go about your activities without feeling restless. Having enough water in
your body is also necessary for proper functioning of your entire body.
EAT LOT OF FRUITS AND
VEGETABLES
Harmattan provides
perfect conditions for the transmission of airborne illnesses. A lowered immune
system will give room to the manifestation of these illnesses. Infections like common cold are rampant at this time of the
weather calendar. You should therefore endeavor to eat lots of fruits and
vegetables to help strengthen your immune defense. Fruits also contain lots of
fluids in them as well as some vegetables.
OBSERVE FOOD HYGIENE
During this period
the proper handling and storage of food should be made paramount to prevent
food contamination.
Airborne diseases are
diseases caused by pathogens and transmitted through the air. The relevant
pathogens may be viruses, bacteria, or fungi, and they may be spread through
coughing, sneezing and blowing dust during this period.
The blowing winds
don’t just carry dust but pathogens that can cause lots of sicknesses such as
diarrhoea. Hence, you practice should be to cover you foods when not eating and
wash your hands with soap and flowing water before eating.
Also people who
handle foods should make a point to at all times wash their hands and keep
sneezing as well as coughing away from the food. For the reason that food
hygiene of most foods vended/sold on the streets cannot be guaranteed, we
advise you limit your habit of eating/buying street foods.
SIMPLE TIPS
-Wash your hands with
soap (preferably under running water) before eating.
-Cover all foods to prevent dust and
germs from contaminating them.
-Eat only warm foods.
-Drink lots of water to keep your body
refreshed all day.
-Eat fruits and vegetables to keep your
immune system healthy.
-When sneezing or coughing, make it a
point to keep it away from foods yet to be eaten.
FOR
CONSULTATION
Call Our Nutritionist- +233277279565
This article was reviewed on Sunday, 6th November, 2016
By Nu. Sallah Stanley Kwesi (Nutritionist at Nutritional Talk)
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