ALTHOUGH health experts discourage high intake of deep-fried and highly processed foodstuffs, many people consume them and that is why they are sold on the streets and in business centres because of demand.

It is demand which determines commodity supply and price. So, the fact that when we walk around the streets or when we go to business centres we find food vendors preparing or selling deep-fried and highly processed foodstuffs, it means they do so because there is demand for them. 

Food vendors do not care about consumers’ health because they are interested in making a profit, but it is the consumers who must take precautions against consuming unhealthy foodstuffs.

Some people like to buy and consume deep-fried foodstuffs and highly processed foodstuffs, but these foodstuffs are associated with heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. Without health expert advice people tend to eat excessively high risk health-related foodstuffs

The Ministry of Health, through the Tanzania Food and Nutrition Centre (TFNC) and with technical and financial support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), developed the first national Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) (technical recommendations) for a Healthy Population by involving stakeholders, including members of the public and an evidence review process.

It was published in 2023 as it sought to promote adequate intake and diversity in consuming various healthy foodstuffs from the six different food groups and limit the consumption of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats and oils in Mainland Tanzania. The six food groups which are highlighted in the FBDGs manual are (1) cereals, starchy roots, tubers, plantains and green bananas, (2) vegetables, (3) fruits, (4) pulses, nuts and oil seeds, (5) animal-source foodstuffs, (6) healthy fats and oils.

Moreover, the manual mentions its key implementers as government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government (PO-RALG), communities, and development partners. Others are civil society organisations (CSOs), nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and faith-based organisations (FBOs), institutions of higher learning, training and research, private institutions, the media, and political parties. 

The manual recommends that everybody, young and old, should enjoy eating a variety of foodstuffs from different food groups every day to stay healthy and strong. It also recommends choosing unsaturated fats and oils and consuming them in small amounts.

According to the manual, there are three categories of fats, namely unsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, and trans-fats. “These fats affect the body differently… All fats and oils are a mixture of saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids,” it says. 

It explains that vegetable oils that are liquid at room temperature contain more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. “Fats that are solid at room temperature contain more saturated fatty acids and/or trans-fats. 

Trans-fats may be found in vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated to make them solid at room temperature.” While saturated fats at room temperature include butter, lard and some animal fats, unsaturated fats that are liquid at room temperature are olive oil, corn oil and other vegetable oils.

“Saturated fats and trans-fats tend to raise ‘bad’ cholesterol levels in the blood, which in turn increase the risk of heart disease. In contrast, unsaturated fats, when eaten in moderation, are essential in promoting good health and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” the manual says. 

Trans-fats or trans-fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that come from industrial or natural sources. While ‘good’ cholesterol helps to remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, ‘bad’ cholesterol contributes to fatty build-up in arteries. 

‘Bad’ cholesterol can be increased by intake of red meat, processed meat (like sausages, and bacon), cream, whole milk, butter, cheese, coconut and palm oil, liver and kidney. Others are deep-fried products, biscuits, cakes, margarine, some vegetable oils, and other backed products.

“Fats and oils provide essential fatty acids that the body cannot produce on its own and which must, therefore, come from diet. Essential fatty acids promote growth, transport fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), provide storage components of cell membranes, protect vital body organs (heart), provide energy, and prevent dermatitis (skin inflammation).” 

On the other hand, the manual says unsaturated fats are healthy fats that help reduce bad cholesterol in the body and reduce the risk of heart disease. Nut and seed nutrients make them a healthy option.         

This piece of information can help us change our eating habits and instead of consuming unhealthy foodstuffs we can decide to start consuming healthy foodstuffs that help us keep healthy and strong. 

But all this depends on whether we choose to eat healthy foodstuffs and keep an active lifestyle or we choose to eat unhealthy foodstuffs and entertain sedentary behaviour. We should know that NCDs are associated with high intake of saturated and trans-fats and are costly in terms of treatment. So, let us take care!