A Registered Dietician Nutritionist (RDN), Miss Nonyerem Nnebe, has said that the services of dietician’s are under-utilized in Nigeria.
Nnebe, a clinical dietician with Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, said this in an interview on Thursday in Awka.
She called on the public to explore the ‘immeasurable services’ of registered dietician nutritionists to beef up their healthy living.
According to her, registered dieticians owe the public the responsibility of guiding them on best nutrition so as to maintain a healthy living at all times, irrespective of their age.
Nnebe also urged people to always eat fruits, exercise daily, observe rest and ensure water intake in order to be in good shape always.
She added that people should also cultivate the habit of eating watermelons fruits a lot, as it has very rich benefits in human body development and healthy living.
Nnebe described watermelons as one of the fruits loaded with antioxidants.
“Watermelons are loaded with lycopene which curbs the risk of cancers, including prostate cancer.
“For a healthier heart, watermelons are rich in amino acid and potassium which lower blood pressure,” she said.
The dietician further stated that combining healthy lifestyles, such as exercising, avoiding smoking, limited saturated fats and eating watermelons, were beneficial to the heart.
Nnebe said watermelon also had some anti-inflammatory properties which could be helpful in relieving joint pains and arthritis.
“Watermelon is rich in Vitamin A and so, keeping the eye and skin healthy is certain with the fruit.
“Watermelon helps in keeping one hydrated, as it contains 92 percent water, while it also helps bowel movement and prevents constipation because it has a combination of water and fibre.
“It has a low glycemic index and, therefore, should be eaten in moderation by people who are on blood sugar management.
“Watermelon is very important for weight loss; it gives a feeling of fullness as a result of its fibre content and the water has a very pleasant taste.
“Watermelon can be eaten as a whole after being properly washed and cut into desirable slices. It can also be blended into juice,” she said.
Nnebe said every part of watermelon had healthy benefits, including the back and the seeds which, she added, contained magnesium, zinc, folate and iron.
She disclosed that the back of watermelon contained higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins B and C as well as potassium.
“When next you want to discard any part of fresh watermelon, think twice because every part of it has its own health benefit,” she said.
