Load shedding impacts on healthy eating: nutritionist

A report by the Bureau for Food and Agriculture Policy Baseline 2015 has revealed that electricity tariff increases are changing the eating habits of lower income communities. 

The report suggests that more residents are cooking rice instead of maize because it has a shorter cooking time.  

The cost of healthy food is also rising faster than inflation. 

Local nutritionist, Vanessa Clarke says many consumers are opting for more convenient or cheaper foods. 

She says this can lead to unhealthy eating habits.

"This could result in increased intakes of processed foods which tend to be quite high in fat, starch, sugar and salt - which can negatively affect one's health. Also with the cost of healthy food options on the increase, households will be limited to consuming only certain food types, which can result in an unbalanced diet. Also increasing levels to developing nutritional deficiency," she said. 

(File photo: AFP)