Undernourished people are at greater risk in obtaining infections, showing that a poor nutritional intake impairs the immune system. "Research shows that breakfast-skippers are also less likely to catch up their nutrient requirements later in the day. If you start your day with a balanced breakfast and your body will be better equipped to fight off infection and illness," commented Sue Cloran, registered dietician and nutrition business partner for Kellogg Company of South Africa. "No single food can supply all nutrients in the amounts we need, we should therefore eat a variety of foods. Variety is your key to healthy eating. And if you are able to read food labels you will be able to make healthier and wiser choices by understanding the guideline daily amount (GDA) label on the front or side of packaging."
In a bid to try and make a difference Kellogg's Corn Flakes has launched a nutritional campaign to educate and inform the public about nutrition at 36 local Gauteng health clinics. "Aspects surrounding nutrition such as reading food labels, ingredients, vitamins and iron can be very confusing," remarks Cloran. "We hope that we will be able to share and educate the patients at these local clinics about very important nutritional aspects which will help to ensure that they themselves as well as their families are given the tools to influence their health in a positive way."
Over six weeks, Kellogg's Corn Flakes nutritional campaign will be reaching over 12 000 patients, who all will be provided with the vital health information that they need. "The local clinics have a huge influx of patients on a daily basis, and not everyone gets information on nutrition. By ensuring that we are influencing around 12 000 patients, we are starting to make a difference at grass-roots level," commented Cloran.
"We also understand that not all of these patients have the funds to buy the fresh produce they need to meet all their nutritional requirements. Therefore, our expert team of educators under the guidance of Jane Motha will be combating this by providing cost-effective substitutes that will help meet their needs, and show how easy it is to incorporate a healthy eating plan into your daily life."
According to Jane Motha, owner of Khuluma Marketing an activations agency who supply trainees to help educate patients at local clinics about various health concerns, Kellogg's Corn Flakes will be the first company to help educate patients on vital nutrition. "The patients at the clinics require this information more than anyone else. People from new mothers to the elderly will be able to receive the information that they need whilst waiting to see a health care professional" remarks Motha.
Kellogg's Corn Flakes aims to make a difference through their six-week campaign, with aims to take this project into Africa in 2011.
For more information, go to www.kelloggcompany.com or www.kelloggs.co.za.
