Health Zone: Ebola; It’s time to go fruity and veggie – Expert

As the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak rages in Nigeria, chairperson of the  Nutrition Society of Nigeria, Lagos, Dr. Abimbola Ajayi, said Nigerians must change their diets to include more fruits and vegetables.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Independent in Lagos, Ajayi said, “At a time like this when diseases are flying everywhere it is for people to boost their immunity, and not to necessarily go in search of drugs or medicine.

“What you need is to know the right kind of food to eat like fruits and vegetables. Some say they don’t like it. It is not about you not liking it, but about knowing what to do. You have citruses, tangerine, water melon, paw paw. These are the things we all should eat.”

She said it is time for Nigerians to go back to natural foods like green vegetables, saying, “We should get back to eating our own raw food and natural foods like okro, ugu, ewedu. In fact people should eat lots of vegetables.”

On the impression that vegetables could make one go to the toilet frequently, she said, “The way out is for people to improve their hygiene and the sanitary conditions. You get the vitamins that help to boost your immunity against all these diseases once you eat fruits and vegetables.”