HON. MOSES JN BAPTISTE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO STRENGTHEN THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION ON NUTRITION THROUGH EXPANDED PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition officially launched Nutrition Awareness Month with a renewed call for Saint Lucians to adopt healthier eating habits and more active lifestyles. The launch, held under the theme “Healthy Eating, Active Living: Promoting Caribbean Foods as Medicine,” brought together health officials, educators, students, and community stakeholders to highlight the critical role nutrition plays in preventing disease and improving overall well-being.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Shana Cyr-Philbert, Senior Medical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, underscored the powerful connection between nutrition and overall health. “Diet is arguably the single most powerful lifestyle factor influencing our physical and mental health. The nutrients, vitamins, and calories we consume every day influence everything we are and everything we do. What we eat affects how we learn and even our mood. A healthy diet protects the body from illness, helps control illness, and is known to promote a positive mental state. Today, I want to applaud the nutrition department as they lead us in commemorating Nutrition Awareness Month. Let us take time to heal, to heal ourselves, to heal our nation, through healthy eating and active living.”
Minister for Health, Wellness and Nutrition Hon. Moses Jn Baptiste announced plans to strengthen the national conversation on nutrition through expanded programmes and initiatives. “We are going to ensure that even within the ministry we have timelines and we have programs which will elevate the whole discussion on nutrition to another level. If you listen to the Prime Minister's budget speech, he indicated that there will be a national conference on nutrition this year and we are going to work on this. And when the Prime Minister speaks in the budget, whatever he says in the budget speech, in the appropriation bill, in the appropriation debate, whatever he says becomes law. I'm not saying so because he's the one, but in general, when the Prime Minister or any Prime Minister speaks at the appropriation bill debate, the things he says in that speech are actually law, because we debate it and we vote on it. So if he says there's going to be a nutrition conference, better believe and better get ready, because there's going to be a national nutrition conference.”
Chief Nutritionist Lisa Hunt encouraged the public to use the observance as an opportunity to make healthier choices and reconnect with local foods. “As we launch Nutrition Awareness Month with the rest of the Caribbean region, let us recommit ourselves to making healthier
choices every day. Let us teach our children the value of nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Let us reduce the consumption of high processed foods and rediscover our local foods, our St. Lucia food, which is fresh, local, and natural foods. Small changes made consistently can lead to healthier lives.”
Throughout the month, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition will host activities aimed at raising awareness about healthy eating, encouraging physical activity, and promoting the use of Caribbean foods as part of a healthier lifestyle.
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