Dominicans are being encouraged to eat healthy in order to live longer lives.
Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist, Dr. Irving Pascal made the call on Wednesday evening at a meeting organized by the St. Joseph Health District to educate people in that community on healthy eating habits.
The meeting which was held at the Salisbury Health Centre, formed part of activities to observe Caribbean Wellness Month, under the theme “Love that body, preserve that body and do not destroy it.”
Dr. Pascal, who was the special guest speaker, said the foods most people consume seem to be destroying their lives.
“What we are putting in our mouths now and say it is food, actually it is making us sick and killing us,” he said.
“What we put in our mouth to provide the energy to heal itself must enhance our lives. So two things that are important, it must enhance our lives and (it must be) therapeutic,” he added.
According to Dr. Pascal statistics for the Salisbury and St Joseph district shows an indicator that less people are dying from strokes. “I wouldn’t say it’s a good thing,” he said, “I mean you should not be dying from strokes…”
He added, “Like everywhere in the country, the numbers are just increasing, they are not decreasing and the population is getting smaller, so that is a worrying sign.”
He mentioned four basic things to consider for a healthy lifestyle, “Air, a good diet, regular exercise and enough rest.”
Meanwhile the ENT specialist noted that most people are dying from cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure and stroke. “All that is affected by what we put in our mouth, what we eat,” he stressed adding that “What you eat can affect what you think…health is not just about your physical self, it’s about your mental self and your social well-being.”
He encouraged persons to consume foods that are fresh, natural and free from pesticides pointing out that these foods provide the most energy.
Dr. Pascal also reminded his audience that water is the most important fluid one should consume. “Water is one of the most important things you can put in your mouth…we have to think about how much water we are drinking,” he said.
Other activities organized by the St Joseph Health District as part of Caribbean Wellness Month, include; a water drive which was held two weeks ago, a sports day in order to encourage people to exercise and a hike from the Pond Casse area to the Emerald Pool.
Always enjoy what you have to say, refreshing. Thanks for your concerns and contribution.
Nobody else spoke at that function? Just curious.
The policies of this present government are contra all you saying there, unfortunately, because they have killed the agriculture industries so we are planting less, they encourage use of herbicides and pesticides that make our foods unhealthy, they create no jobs so we cannot afford to buy healthy foods in the markets, taxes are so high that farmers cannot transport foods like they use to, most farmers are hitch hiking rides these days.
Nevertheless thank you Dr Eipigh for giving us hope. By your contributions I am reminded that there are still a few good men who can still take sense and care about what is really important in our country.
Much love
Doctor P for PM. Man of intelligence, good sense and judgment and with Dominica and Dominicans at heart.
I voting Dr Eipigh
i agree with my fav doctor on everything he said..however if you have conversation with most of the dominican public and do your own research…ppl do not have money like b4 to buy fruits and vegetables as the prices in the market are going up bcuz these ppl that r selling it r also looking for money to pay their daily needs n bills…ppl now in this hard economy would rather by force or no other option buy a 90 cents turbo/mak-c/fruppo etc or $1 kool-aid than grapefruit or small bag of sorrel that is more costly when you have to try to make the most out of the little money you have to pay bills,buy shoes and clothes for your children,pay for school and even ‘wants’ that you do not need just to say u trying to enjoy ur life as ppl like to say “you only live once” so y suffer/kooway.good food r staying on people trays in the local market because the cost of living is rising in this economy and there r other cheaper unhealthy alternatives on the market.every economy is boasting how they are improving and getting better everyday on the world wide news and SOME of us are still crying “the world economic crisis” that have us so.
I agree with Dr. Pascal. If we eat fresh we will be healthier. I just returned from vacation in Dominica and took the time to go to the market to get fresh produce and cooked my meals. REST is also important. Was in bed by 9pm and felt refreshed in the morning. It is easy to do, just make living well a lifestyle. No matter what, ppl would call and I wouldn’t answer my phone after certain hours – REST! Get a hobby too, it works.
I wholeheartedly endorse what was stated. Everything of vital importance to our health has been addressed. I noted “Water” which is absolutely necessary for blood flow, to pump the heart and for the brains and to flush the bowels, is something I have known. Sadly, do we all drink ample water as we should? In a hot climate as Dominica, nationals should drink an ample amount as 6 to 8 glasses or cups of water; not a huge one but a medium one. Lack of water could also contribute to many illnesses.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. We cannot be copy cats and follow other people and other countries. I am a born Dominican, but live in the USA and work in the health department. Most of our disease comes from what we eat and drink. America is big already. They have food stamps, Medicaid, Medicare, all kind of programs to help their people.
We cannot follow these big countries. I was raised poor,eating fish broth, fish local animals, fresh grapefruit, orange, lime juices. We walked a lot,, swim in the sea. My family and I never had any medical problems/ When we have a cold, we go and bathe in the sea, rub with all the local medicine, drink all bush teas. We know cost of living is high, but some of us just want to live in the fast lanes all the time, and the young people are too lazy. There will be a big price to pay and it is going to be with our health. Garbage in, Garbage out, the end results of not eating wright is sickness and early death. No ifs, ands and buts.
Brother Eipigh you are a conscious and loving Dominican. It is good to see you are using your knowledge to serve the public interest. Keep it up and never allow yourself to become a hostage to color policies and politics. That you stick to the science is better for the country. And when you speak of politics, if you must, do so in a manner which unites and not divide. Educate and not obliterate. Elevate the masses brother man!
One of the above comments remind me of a conversation I had with someone. I encourage him to eat more local and fresh foods and the response was that, it is cheaper to buy a pound of rice from which he can get at least 3 meals.
So the reality of the situation may just be that these days we cannot afford “economically” to eat healthier. Prices of good food is too expensive.
He could purchase rice. Rice is easier, quicker and simpler to cook. However, do you realize that rice does not have to be plain-cooked? always remember, everything in moderation. Eating only a scoop or two with fish or chicken of all would suffice.
Prior to eating his meal he could make a simple salad with greens, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and different sweet peppers – a little of each with a non-fat salad dressing. Then, if he feels like it, he could have fruits as a dessert or prepare a dessert which is non-fattening.
He could cook carrots, celery, spinach certain other vegetables in the rice. They could be minced or cut in small pieces. He could also put curry or turmeric in it. Incidentally, curry and turmeric are highly recommended for health. I love to eat rice in this manner.
If he has time, rice could be baked as well with other ingredients. There are many ways of preparing rice with vegetables and chicken. Some of them are called a one-pot dinner. This is also for busy people or for a quick dinner.
Google recipes including the benefits of curry, turmeric and others. You should inform your friend about these and what to put in the rice for health benefits. Remind him, not much salt.
Dominica has all the good food but the television has almost brainwashed us into believing the junk colorful food is the best. people can economize by cooking their own food as i do in America. The food from the Caribbean is more expensive but it is much better.
What are fast food places doing in Dominica in the first place. Subway, KFC, etc. are American fast food businesses which should stay in America. Look at what those companies are doing to Americans (obesity, diabetes!) yet they are allowed to open businesses in Dominica and other Caribbean islands. Fresh food, fruit, vegetables and clean clear water are all available to us. Let us use our natural resources and return America’s fast food to Americans. Our grandparents ate all natural foods and they lived to a ripe old age and were healthy and strong. Let’s use our natural resources to our benefit.
I will be honest with you, fast foods once in a while are not harmful. I do think they should be for emergency reasons. For instance if you go shopping and did not have time to prepare a meal, are too tired to prepare one or for a treat on a Friday or Saturday night, they serve a good purpose. It is when they are eaten frequently that they could be a health hazard. Some people are addicted to them.
Furthermore, these days with health awareness, the US and Canadian governments of all have stringent rules pertaining to non-fatty fast foods. If the fast foods are prepared accordingly, they are not harmful. I hope the same applies in Dominica.
Fast food chains provide jobs. Those enterprises have expanded their business worldwide. Try not to eat too much of fast foods.
I love home cooking. Once in a while I will eat fast food but I am selective in what I eat. I have a favorite place which also serves, the only meat, chicken.
This lecture was urgently needed. Thanks for caring so much Dr. Pascal.
And if fresh food or seasoning is not available in Dominica, do NOT ask your cousin in Guada to post you some!
Yes I Doc…..also remind us to drink less booze…
That too!
Our bodies need more water than liquor.
Thank you Dr. Pascal. I live in the US and I do not eat KFC, MCDONALDS, and BK why people in Dominica eat that crap is beyond me.
Stop putting sugar to your juices been to town have a one juice with one glass of water i now have 2 glass, so stop adding more sugar u could end up with type 1 or 2
Juice should be freshly squeezed or eaten – oranges and grapefruits; not concentrated.
Real thing. We need to eat well and have a healthy lifestyle to live long. TO MUCH KFC for our children is not healthy at all.
I’m happy to hear that someone is speaking about the junk people eat.
Dr. Pascal is so right. I truly agree with you. It is just common sense to walk in the footsteps of our forefathers. By this I mean we should eat the way they ate. The example has been laid down for us. I also believe that with the advent of the media, which includes television, our people have become sidetracked. Truly, we have forgotten the old path and started walking a path of destruction. Many of us have neglected the land, from which the natural foods grow and have been eating the unhealthy foods which some of the restaurants offer. When I look at some of our women who are obese, I just have to shake my head. That’s not how our people were in the 60’s and 70’s when I was growing up. Our fore fathers planted the foods they needed to sustain their lives and there were not so many health issues. We really have to wake up as a people and get back to the soil or we will perish. We have truly forgotten who we are as a people.
The problem is not only the food but also the hair that our women wear. It is very unhealthy to cover the natural hair with all of this fake hair. That prevents the natural hair from getting what it needs from the atmosphere. Our hair is like antennas, receiving vibrations from the atmosphere. This shows that we do not love who we are but instead want to be someone who we cannot be. This is called self hate which comes from a warped mentality. No other race of people want to be like us yet we want to be like someone else. Wake up my people and stand infront of the mirror the way you were created and don’t move until you love what you see. Black is beautiful and you should not be ashamed of your race.
Nice job doctor. Always love your contribution
Good lecture, It is true that water is a vital part of staying healthy. Nice job.
Water should not be too cold, from the fridge. It really should be drunk at room temperature.
great job Dr Eipigh and thank you for your continued support. Your talk was enlightening. I appreciated it very much. Continue to pay your part….a true Dominican you are.
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Very good advice ! Please stay away as much as possible from the fast foods that are taking hold locally. Once in a while it is ok to indulge but above all do not forget that annual physical. We have too many obese people , especially women in the local population . Please act before it is too late.
Very good advise doctor.. Although in my opinion, food is not the enemy, eating and seating and sleeping and not burning what we eat physically. We eat more than we burn. thanks for the advise.
advice.
We are told we should not eat late at nights just before we go to bed. The food must be digested.
A huge plate of food is not necessary. Small portions are OK. It is not how much we eat but how nutritiously.
lol hhmn hah that have to be a joke lol. so u really think dominicans can eat healthy under that economy??? lol how we going to eat healthy dere?? price of food sky high salary not going up.how are we going to eat healthy? we kia afford to eat healthy in dominica we just cant afford it.
I travel to my forefathers home with love andanticipation of eating the freshest food from sweet Dca soil and sea!
Are you really saying on however small your piece of land, that you cannot grow a yam or 1 fig tree??! Seriously….and then say you cannot afford it?!
I have said before that Dominica has year-round tropical weather. Those who have property should grow vegetables, etc. Homegrown is better, tastes better and is less expensive. It is worth the time and effort.
Most people who live in relatively cold climates and who have houses with land, grow vegetables in summer. They also can them, roast them and pickle them for later use in winter. Some give vegetables to their relatives and friends. These are also the joys of summer which we look forward to, sometimes after a harsh winter as this last one.
How can you eat healthy when these people and the govt. are spraying everything with herbicides and pesticides. There needs to be a ban on Round-up and products like it. DA should get in the business of making natural ingredient insect deterents. There would be a market for it and it would be in keeping with the ecology of the island.
Yet, some people still live to a ripe old age and healthily.
What about the air we breathe especially if you reside in a big country?
Dr Pascal doh talk about eating fresh food cause remember they kill agriculture and the people must now eat imported food. If you talk about eating fresh food they will attack you my broad.
The homegrown foods in Dominica as fruits, vegetables, beans and peas should be fresh.
Dr. Pascal thank you for taking the time in educating your people.My people of dominica,please eat what you grow,stop all the processed food .Our land is blessed with gods hand and blessing.Dont be fooled with all this imporetd foods,they are poison and also become addicted.Stay away from the sodas water cleans the body from bad bacteria and a little exercise daily helps so eat and reap what you grow.Proud of Salisbury and St joe keep up the good diets.
Yes Doc
moringa ..watercress, watermelon ,coconut water, ripe bananas ,kelp, ginger ,cayenne peppe,r paprika, coconut and castor oils etc
not FAST FOODS —– Kentucky Fry ,Pizza etc