Nutrition
‘Benefits of eating cocoyam’
Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), also known as taro, is a nutritional root vegetable that offers several essential benefits.
-Cocoyam contains a high amount of dietary fibre, which prevents constipation. It helps with bowel movements and boosts the gastrointestinal system to help digest foods.
-Carbohydrates are among the nutritional values of cocoyam, which helps sustain energy. Eating cocoyam helps to maintain your energy level, especially for long days.
-It is beneficial to weight loss as cocoyam contains low fat and benefits the body’s overall fat intake.
-Cocoyam is a good source of vitamins and boosts the immune system.
-Vitamin C, vitamin B6 boost the immune system, and play important roles.
– Eating cocoyam helps regulate blood pressure, balance fluids, and help muscle and nerve function, as cocoyam is a good source of potassium and magnesium.
-The antioxidants in cocoyam help fight oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
-It contributes to blood sugar control and reduces high blood pressure. If you are at risk of diabetes or other serious conditions, incorporating cocoyam into your meals would be a good choice.
– It helps regulate blood pressure and reduces the risk of cardiovascular problems due to the low sodium content and potassium-rich nature of cocoyam.
-Promotes bone health as it contains calcium and phosphorus and is essential for maintaining strong bones.
-Cocoyam is gluten-free and a suitable food choice for people with gluten sensitivity and celiac disease.
-It helps to maintain weight management as it gives a full feeling. Including cocoyam in your diet will aid in your weight-loss journey. niyis.co.uk
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Nutrition
Healthy diets are not just personal choices: Ghana must fix the food environmentBy Marilyn Gadogbe
Ghanaian families are increasingly consuming unhealthy foods because the environment makes them the easiest and cheapest choice. From sugary drinks and pastries in schools to instant noodles at home, daily diets are pushing the nation toward hypertension, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases.
Key points:
- Choice is limited: People often pick energy-dense, processed foods not out of carelessness but because they are affordable, convenient, and heavily marketed.
- Health risks: Ultra-processed snacks are becoming common in urban homes, contributing to rising chronic diseases and a growing public health burden.
- Policy vs. personal responsibility: Individual choices matter most when supported by a healthy environment. Policies can enable responsible decisions, just as traffic laws support safe driving.
Proposed 5-Point Action Plan for Ghana:
- Front-of-pack warning labels: FDA & MoH to mandate clear labels on high-sugar or high-salt products.
- Marketing restrictions: FDA to limit advertising of unhealthy foods to children, especially near schools.
- School food standards: GES & School Feeding Programme to prioritize nutrient-dense local foods and limit sugary drinks.
- Sugar levy: MoF & MoH to tax sugar-sweetened beverages and use revenue to subsidize fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income areas.
- Strengthen local food systems: MoFA & Local Assemblies to invest in fresh food access, storage, and market infrastructure.
Conclusion:
A healthier Ghana requires designing a supportive food environment through policy. Diet-related diseases are not just personal choices—they reflect the system people live in. Without structural change, preventable illnesses will continue to burden the nation.
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Yake Yake is a traditional Ghanaian dish from the Volta Region made from steamed, grated cassava. It is similar to Attieke but typically steamed in a different, more rustic, or water-free style.
Ingredients
- 4 tubes of cassava
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Peel the cassava tubers, remove the fibrous inner core, and wash thoroughly.
- Grate the cassava using a blender or grater until it is fine and grainy.
- Place the grated cassava into a muslin or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much water as possible.
- Pass the dried, squeezed cassava through a strainer to separate coarse chunks, ensuring a fine, powdery texture.
- Line a steamer (or a pot with a perforated insert) with a cheesecloth. Pour the cassava flakes into the cloth, forming a dome shape.
- Steam for about 3–4 minutes until fluffy.
- Turn the Yake Yake out onto a plate. It should appear as a soft, cake-like dome.
- Pair with tilapia, hot pepper, and sliced onions for a complete, authentic Ghanaian meal.
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