No Sugar Please, We’re Healthy!
The ravaging drought prevailing in Africa and Kenya in particular has adversely affected agricultural production. Altered weather patterns have distorted the thermal structures of the upper atmosphere resulting in drastic reduction of an already erratic rainfall regime, a phenomenon directly related to global warming. A quick visit to major supermarkets in the Kenya capital will reveal an acute shortage of maize flour and sugar, two features of the local diet.
As families adjust their eating habits in these dire times, a new scenario is likely to arise. People will settle down to sugar-free diet or use natural sweeteners, citing several health benefits and significant financial savings. On the other end of the spectrum, the sugar industry (made up of farmers, processors, distributors, retailers) will survive the shortage by reducing or shutting down operations raising sugar prices and laying off staff. The shortfall is likely to be met by cheap imports which have generated endless wrangling within the political class.
While the circus continues, the Kenyan consumer must focus on a hitherto ignored angle on the debate. Sugar, as it has been said, serves absolutely no nutritional value to the body.
Policy makers must identify, recognize and innovate for lasting solutions to the perpetual food crisis. Citizens must continue demand better governance characterized by the departure from endless blame game and political squabbles, to an integrated approach at tackling bottlenecks in commerce and industry.
The private sector must continue to generate healthy competition by providing consumers with alternatives such as natural sweeteners, for as long as the sugar industry is dominated by inefficient processors and importers, citizen will never be free from the stranglehold of runaway price controls.
Our health sector must also strongly voice out warnings on the increase in obesity, diabetes, cancer and cardio-vascular complications. ‘A nation is as strong as the health of its citizens’ is a critical mission statement for any national healthcare plan that strategically employs preventative approach. Citizens must be empowered to make informed choices.
In the meantime as I write this I am enjoying a cup of tea.
Yes, without any sugar.
ademite 
Cool stuff!!!
Yes, no sugar please…
… and interesting how the sugar crisis depicts our actual political scenario… just like sugar, we can do without the current dispensation…
Cheers!!!
Thanks Paul. There is a new post about Jesus and Facebook. Check it out too.
Blessings
Interesting read, very informative, good choice of topic of discussion. I agree that as citizens we should focus on healthy eating habits and true the private sector should do more to provide us with what is beneficial and not detrimental. I know how expensive it is treating diseases such as diabetes and therefore we are definitely safe in preventing them
! Am for the natural sweeteners.
Carol.
Dear Carol,
Thank you for your response. Sorry it took me a while to navigate through the maze of instructions. Yes, I advocate sweeteners. Kindly google up an organization called Pure Circle and their lovely product stevia, a natural sweetener.
Keep it coming!
Barikiwa
This a great article. Really so much has occurred especially due to shortage of sugar and maize flour. It made me realize just so much we’ve become depended on those two items that lack of which has shown a very drastic change. You find that a customer, could only purchase other items in retail shops & supermarket if those items are available. For sure we need to change our focus on what we eat to ensure that we extend our lives. We should not depart from some of our traditional meals that not only healthy but have added nutrional values. I go for the sweetners.