Behavioural Bytes Archives
November 14th is World Diabetes Day—a moment to examine how our food choices impact both health and wellbeing. While glucose remains our body's primary energy source, essential for physical and mental functions, recent South African data reveals concerning trends:- 84% of South Africans living with diabetes experience anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions. Over 4 million South Africans are living with diabetes- By 2045, diabetes is expected to affect 13% of our adult population.
The economics of food choice presents a particular challenge locally. With fast food chains creating accessible, low-cost meals high in sugars and unhealthy fats, maintaining stable glucose levels becomes increasingly difficult. Often, high-calorie, low-nutrition foods are what many South Africans can afford—a key driver behind our rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Fibre First: Start meals with fibre-rich foods like leafy greens or veggies. Fibre slows glucose absorption, keeping levels steady and supporting your brain's performance.
Move After Meals: A quick 10-15 minute walk post-meal helps your body use excess glucose, leading to smoother levels. It's a small habit with a big impact on brain and body health.
Pair Carbs with Protein & Fat: Combining carbs with proteins or healthy fats slows digestion, preventing rapid glucose spikes. Try an apple with peanut butter or whole-grain bread with avocado.
This Diabetes Day, let's look beyond individual choices to the broader factors that shape them. A balanced approach to glucose starts with access to affordable, nutritious foods. We support initiatives like Grow Great Campaign's 10 Best Buys movement, which champions making nutrient-rich foods like eggs, dried beans, and lentils more accessible to all South Africans. When healthy choices become affordable choices, we create pathways to better health for everyone.
