​Thembisa Shologu
The Department of Health has urged parents to introduce and promote fruit and vegetables in their daily lives to mitigate the risks of serious diet-related illnesses. 
With the country in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the health of South Africans remains a concern as the disease is not the only battle.
"Eating more fruit and vegetables promotes well-being and help with gut health, protects against heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. 
"Furthermore, fruit and vegetables help to reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes, and other Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)," said Departmental Spokesperson, Kwara Kekana. 
The department is marking the National Nutrition Week, aimed at promoting eating appropriate quantities of food.
This year's theme is: "Eat more vegetables and fruit every day."
Studies among adolescents and children younger than 15 years show that fruit and vegetable consumption is inadequate. 
"South Africans aged 15 years and older eat below the recommended 400 grams. Increasing the portion sizes of vegetables and fruit in meals and replacing unhealthy snacks with fruit and vegetables can assist in achieving the recommended target," said Kekana. 
Households are encouraged to plant fruit trees in the yards and create mini vegetable gardens as this has proven to be an affordable and sustainable way to increase dietary diversity and improve health outcomes.
Department of Basic Education has urged said community and home food gardens are a strategic way to boost access to fresh produce and make it possible for children to pick fruit from trees or pull carrots from the garden when they need a snack
"From lunchboxes and the school nutrition programme to tuckshops, school environments need support so that they can become nutrient-rich places where healthy eating is encouraged, affordable and possible," said Deputy Director-General, Granville Whittle.