Abimbola Olu-Sholanke, a Registered Dietitian dedicated to promoting healthy eating in both private and clinical settings, has expressed concern about the long-term impact of current hardships on families.
She warns that when families prioritize survival over balanced nutrition, it can lead to a range of health issues.
Olu-Sholanke emphasizes that our bodies require a diverse array of nutrients—such as vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats to function optimally.
A deficiency in these essential nutrients can result in significant health complications.
The push for balanced diets in families has diminished significantly, with many households struggling to afford even a modest meal each day.
Rather, the focus has shifted from quality to quantity amid rising food costs.
The importance of healthy eating is well-documented, with the World Health Organization (WHO) highlighting its role in protecting families from chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
However, soaring prices have made it increasingly difficult for families to prioritize nutritious food.
A recent report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the Cost of Healthy Diet (CoHD) reveals that families are spending their limited income on insufficient food, compromising their ability to maintain a balanced diet while other essential needs are neglected due to low wages.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in its 2024 Child Food Poverty Report, has said one in every four children globally is living in severe food poverty, adding that Nigeria is among the top 20 countries that are worst affected.
Implication
The implication, according to the report, was that the affected children, amounting to 181 million under five years of age, were surviving on one or two food groups per day, and even less on some days.
UNICEF defined child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood.
In the NBS, the national average cost of a healthy diet per adult per day was N1, 255 in August 2024.
The highest average CoHD was recorded in the South-West at N1, 554 per adult per day, followed by the South-South at N1,381.
In contrast, the North-West had the lowest average at N1,014.
Specific states like Ogun, Lagos, and Rivers reported CoHD figures of N1, 641, N1, 615, and N1, 572, respectively, while Katsina recorded the lowest at N880.
For a family of four in the South-West or South-South with a combined minimum wage of N140,000 (husband and wife), daily expenses for a healthy diet could reach N6, 564, totaling N196,920 monthly.
In the North, a family of seven spending N1, 014 daily would incur costs of N7, 098 per day or N212, 940 monthly.
This financial strain likely influenced labour unions’ demands for a minimum wage of N250, 000.
Consequently, many Nigerians find themselves working merely to survive, neglecting other important aspects of life—an unfortunate reality exacerbated by government inaction.
Interviews conducted by Sunday Vanguard across various regions indicate that families are increasingly focused on basic sustenance rather than balanced diets.
Primary concern
Our correspondent in Niger State found that many households have abandoned the concept of balanced meals altogether.
Respondents expressed that their primary concern is now simply affording whatever food they can.
Mrs. Elizabeth Okafor, a trader, lamented, “The era of prioritizing balanced diet is over, especially under the current administration. We used to plan our meals for the week, including eggs, beef, and fish. Now, we struggle to have three square meals a day.”
Another respondent, Mrs. Comfort Adebisi Ogunleye, a petty trader, said her family had adjusted their feeding habits due to economic hardship.
“We now eat twice a day but ensure our three children have three meals. They usually have bread and tea for breakfast and take rice or spaghetti with stew to school,” she explained.
Retired civil servant, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammed, humorously said that the era of prioritizing balanced diet is over and that “balanced diet has been a forgotten menu in this house for over a year.”
Balanced diet is in the past – Imeabe
A resident of Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Saviour Imeabe, said: “Now balanced diet is only for the rich, the poor can no longer eat well.
“At this point, the poor do not know what a balanced diet is except for those who have children that are in school.
“They might come back home to talk about the balanced diet they heard in class.
“We are no longer eating what we want and what our body needs, but we eat what is available.
“In most cases, what is available is garri to drink. This is because of the high prices of food commodities in the market. We can no longer decide what to eat.
“The days of balanced diet are over; we are in the days of managing what is available.
“To eat one square meal in a day is a problem, talk more about choosing what your body wants.
“Some families cannot even afford one meal a day, not to talk of balancing your meal.
“For those of us who do not have stable jobs, for those of us that the government has not been able to provide a good atmosphere to excel in our careers and businesses, even when they cannot provide jobs, we cannot afford a square meal.
“Come to talk about a balanced diet. Balanced diet is not part of it again. How could somebody who has only garri balance his food?”
Balanced diet is now by chance, no room for luxury —Fiakpore
In Delta State, a teacher, Mr. Erico Fiakpore, said a balanced diet in his family was no longer something planned for but comes by chance.
He said: “As a family, if we eat a balanced diet, it is not something that is planned; it just comes up, because what matters now is how to survive; to get what you can eat.”
On how he has been coping with the economy, he said: “It is no more a secret that the economy is biting hard on everyone.
“The economy has made us restrict movement and go for only things that are extremely important with no room for luxury.
“The little you have, you spend only on those things that are important and it makes one work harder and harder so that you can survive.”
A businessman in Delta, Mr. Gabriel Osekene, on his part, said: “l do not think we still have anything called balanced diet in this country.
“The economy has affected us so badly that there is nothing like a balanced diet anymore.
“As a family, you buy beans, rice, garri, yam, plantain and other things that balance it up, but you can no longer afford any of these food items.
“A bag of rice is sold for N110, 000 and beans N150, 000. Even the ordinary staple food like garri, which we used to buy at N400, N500 per basket, is now sold for N3, 000, N3, 500, N4, 000 per basket.
“If we buy a basket of garri, my family will not eat from it more than three times before it is finished”.
We’re now living a life of palliatives —Osekene
Also speaking, Israel Osekene, who also lives in Delta, said: “We eat eba for breakfast, water for lunch and still eat eba for dinner. Is that balanced diet?”
On how the South-South people are coping with the economy, Osekene said: “From the day petrol subsidy was removed, the price of everything skyrocketed and it has made the economy to be so hard for people to cope with and having the money to equate with the hardship is difficult, so we are now living a life of palliatives.”
I share one egg among children —Bukola
In Lagos, Bukola, a trader who sells used clothes in Makoko, said she had devised a means of managing her children’s health.
“Since the country’s economic challenge began, my family cannot feed very well”, she said.
“But, someone taught me how to manage one egg among three children and they will still eat a bit of a balanced diet.
“I learnt that instead of boiling a raw egg. You can break it and pour it in nylon, add other ingredients to it including onions, pepper, among others. I will cook and then share it among my children.
“This particular method has helped me in balancing my children’s food. I believe that most families are also readjusting to the reality on ground”.
For Mosun, feeding her children had been a tough time.
Her words: “I have children who are picky in nature and so, it became a challenge for me. “And since this economic situation started, I have been asking myself how to come out of it. “I cannot feed my children with the present situation.
“To feed my children in a day, it costs me a fortune and, considering how much I earn monthly, I cannot afford it.
“Therefore, I do not consider a balanced diet when giving my children food. There is no way I can afford a balanced diet in this harsh economy”.
Balanced diet: What Abuja residents say
Residents of Abuja, the nation’s federal capital city are not left out in feeling the adverse effects of a harsh economy, cutting across all sectors.
At the moment, most Nigerians have cut down on the cost of meals to address the rising standard of living across all essential needs. This, no doubt, has greatly affected the right to healthy food, which is a legally binding human right in international law, enshrined in Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966. It states that food must be adequate, available and accessible to all.
But some residents of Abuja, who spoke with Sunday Vanguard, said they only eat to survive now, maintaining that the quality of food does not matter to them anymore.
I can’t afford fish, yam, meat anymore – Amodu
Idris Amodu, a 45-year-old secondary school teacher, teaching in a private school in Karshi area of Abuja, said his wife and four children had come to realize that things are no longer the same as they used to be and are understanding with him in whatever he brings home. According to him, his priority is to provide whatever edible he can provide for his family and no longer on the quality of what he can provide.
He insisted that all he wants is to get whatever the family can eat and stay the next day.
“I can’t remember when last we, as a family, ate fish in my house”, he said.
“To be sincere, I don’t even buy yam anymore, because the price is not for an income earner like me.
“I simply can’t afford things like fish, yam and meat in general anymore.
“Do you even know that it has been a long time since we bought garri in my house? That tells you how difficult things are”.
He continued: “I teach in a private secondary school and you can guess the salary. With the way things stand at the moment, if you want to think of diet in your food, then you must not be in my own line of job where we depend on salaries that are not even regularly paid.”
What matters now is to eat, not balanced diet – Roseline
Speaking also, a 42-year-old mother of three, who identified herself as Roseline John, said her family barely eats two times in a day now.
Mrs John, who said her husband lost his banking job during the COVID-19 pandemic era, hinted that their children had been withdrawn from private school where they were enrolled and put in public school.
This action, she explained, was occasioned by her husband’s inability to secure another promising job.
“We don’t even think of fish, egg, meat or protein generally any more in our foods.
“As schools resumed this session, my husband and I agreed that we should take our children to public school which is less expensive.
“We will definitely revert to private school if things improve.
“So, for now, it’s how to get what we can eat that matters to us and not necessarily balancing the diet”.
Understanding Proper Nutrition
Meanwhile, Olu-Sholanke, a Registered Dietitian dedicated to promoting healthy eating in both private and clinical environments, shared insights with Sunday Vanguard about how knowledge of proper nutrition can enable families to make informed choices, even when resources are limited.
She emphasized that during challenging times, many families tend to prioritize survival over nutritional quality.
However, the expert said it’s crucial to incorporate basic, nutritious foods to help maintain family health.
Olu-Sholanke expressed concern that current hardships could have lasting effects on families, warning that a lack of balanced nutrition could lead to various health issues.
Her words: “Our bodies require a diverse range of nutrients—including vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats—to function optimally. “A deficiency in these nutrients can result in significant health problems”.
She outlined essential foods that families should focus on, even amid economic difficulties, to ensure they receive necessary nutrients for good health.
“Simple actions, like growing your own vegetables at home, can also help save money and resources,” she suggested.
Key Nutritional Staples
“Staple Grains and Tubers: Foods such as rice, maize, garri, fufu, and yam are excellent energy sources. They provide the calories needed to stay active and prevent unwanted weight loss.
“Beans: Although prices have risen, beans remain a cost-effective source of plant protein compared to animal proteins. They are vital for building and repairing tissues and preventing anemia. Additionally, plant proteins offer fiber, which supports digestive health.
“Fruits and Vegetables: In developed countries, governments promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables as part of a balanced diet. Leafy greens like spinach, ugu, or bitter leaf are affordable and can be grown at home. Other options include bananas, oranges, apples, pawpaw, and pineapple. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly iron and vitamin C, which bolster the immune system.
“Eggs: Including eggs in family meals is beneficial as they are packed with protein and nutrients like vitamin B12, crucial for brain health—especially for pregnant women and young children.
“Groundnuts: These nuts are rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamins. A small handful can provide energy and essential nutrients.
Consequences of Poor Nutrition:
Olu-Sholanke also highlighted the potential repercussions of not maintaining a balanced diet: “Malnutrition: Insufficient nutrient intake can severely affect vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Malnutrition can hinder growth, weaken the immune system, and lead to frequent illnesses or learning disabilities.
“Weakened Immune System: A lack of essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, and protein impairs the body’s ability to function effectively and combat infections. This can result in prolonged illnesses and increased absenteeism from work or school.
“Low Energy Levels: Inadequate carbohydrates or fats in the diet can lead to constant fatigue, making it difficult to perform daily tasks or study effectively.
“Delayed Healing: Insufficient protein intake can prolong recovery from injuries or illnesses. Protein is essential for tissue repair, making it critical for swift recovery.
“By prioritizing nutrition even during tough times, families can significantly enhance their overall well-being.
Addressing Nutrient Deficiencies
“Nutrient Deficiencies: A lack of essential vitamins and minerals can lead to specific health issues. For instance, insufficient iron intake can result in anemia, causing weakness and dizziness. Similarly, inadequate calcium or vitamin D can weaken bones.
“Mental Health Effects: Poor nutrition can negatively impact brain health, leading to difficulties with concentration, mood swings, and increased anxiety or depression”.
Recommendations
Abimbola Olu-Sholanke suggests that the government should subsidize key food items such as rice, beans, maize, and vegetables to make them more affordable for families.
While some states and national initiatives have implemented this, the expert says greater transparency is needed to ensure low-income households can access nutrient-rich foods.
She added: “Encouraging growing of foods like vegetables, yams, fruits etc in backyards or gardens through financial support, providing seeds, fertilizers, and training can help families grow their own food.
“Programs that promote backyard gardens or community farming can make fresh produce more accessible while creating jobs. Improved security situations can encourage more farmers to grow more crops.
“Food Assistance Programs that support low income earners through food banks can be adopted for vulnerable families.
“This can include distributing food baskets containing basic grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits and protein sources.
“Also, school feeding initiatives, cooperatives can support families to get at least one nutritious ingredient and/or meals.
“Nutrition experts, National Orientation Agency and the media can be commissioned to implement nationwide campaigns to teach families about affordable, locally available nutritious foods and how to prepare balanced meals.
“Knowledge about proper nutrition can help families make better choices, even with limited resources and also reduce food waste.
“Price Control Measures should be introduced to regulate or subsidise food prices of essential food items to help especially during times of inflation like this.
“The government needs to provide more incentives or low-interest loans to indigenous food vendors and farmers. This can increase food production, improve the agricultural value chain and distribution which will have beneficial effects in the long run when people have more access to healthier food and reduce the burden or cost of managing diseases related to poor nutrition choices in our country.
“Government needs to support affordable access to nutritious foods, promote local agriculture, and educate citizens on low-cost, healthy meal options.
“Communities, cooperatives and families can also grow small gardens to supplement their own food supply.
“By taking these strategic actions to improve availability, affordability, and awareness of healthy eating, we can safeguard the nation’s health despite economic difficulties”.
