Pasifika Plates Promotes Island Food to Fight NCDs

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The Pacific Community (SPC) yesterday released Pasifika Plates, a potentially life-changing cookbook to promote healthy eating to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Pacific Islands.

The release was made at the 1st Pacific Summit on Non communicable Diseases in Nukualofa Tonga which deputy director of Health Fara Utu and two other DOH staffers are attending.

Up to 75 per cent of deaths in Pacific countries are related to NCDs, such as diabetes and heart diseases, with unhealthy diets and lifestyles seen as important contributing factors.

According to the Pacific Community, one of the sponsors of the Summit, many Pacific Islanders are turning away from their healthy and nutritious local foods in favor of nutrient-poor, packaged foods that are high in unhealthy fats and added salt and sugar.

Director General of the Pacific Community Dr, Colin Tukuitonga says, “Poor quality food is making people sick, and young Pacific generations are growing up in this environment.”

He said the new cookbook presents an innovative way to promote healthy eating in the Pacific.

Produced by SPC’s Public Health Division, the cook book supports connections between agriculture and good health by highlighting the “grow local, eat local” message and promotes livelihood opportunities for local farmers by creating awareness and demand for nutritious local produce.

The Director General says, “By promoting healthy food choices, SPC hopes Pasifika Plates will empower individuals in their efforts to prevent and control diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

“We also hope it will encourage people in the Pacific to take pride in the food our land and oceans provide and encourage healthy lifestyles.”

Pasifika Plates contains over 40 delicious recipes from around the islands, easy health and nutrition tips, a gardening guide, special contributions from well-known Pacific chefs like Robert Oliver and Dom Samsom, and photos that showcase the natural beauty of local produce.

You can download Pasifika Plates here: http://www.spc.int/images/stories/highlights/2016/NCD-summit/Pasifika-plates.pdf

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