Muslim Group Advises Nigerians on Balanced Diet, Home Garden Maintenance

The Criterion, an Association of Muslim Women in Business and the Profession, Oyo District, has advised Nigerians on maintenance of home garden and eating balanced diet for them to live healthier.

The Vice Ameerah of the Criterion, Alhaja Sakirat Ibraimoh gave the advice at a skill Acquisition programme on Maintaining a Nutritious Home Garden and Effective Balanced Diet organised by the association on Sunday in Ibadan.

Ibraimoh said that acquiring skills in home gardening promotes good health, self-reliance, and environmental care.

She further said that acquiring the skills have numerous benefits ranging from enhanced food security, better health condition and  cost-effectiveness among others.

"A home garden reduces food expenses, ensures food security, and  chemical-free food that improves nutrition, especially for children and the elderly.

"While Islam rewards those who grow food to benefit themselves and others. 

"In Islam, gardening and farming are highly encouraged. 

"The Prophet Muhammad said: “If a Muslim plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, a person, or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charity (Sadaqah).”

"This shows that growing food is an act of worship when done with good intention," she said.

Ibraimoh further said that eating of balanced diet boost immunity,helps fight infections,reduce risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and help maintain a healthy weight.

She called on Nigerians to inculcate the habit of having a garden at their backyards, eat less processed foods, include protein in their meals, avoid trans fats and excessive fried foods and drink water regularly.

"Balancing your diet is about making smarter choices consistently, combine the right foods,drink water and limit unhealthy options," she said.

In her remarks, a participant at the event,Alhaja Medinat Akani, described the programme as very useful especially for women, community and the nation in general.

Akani urged the participants to build on the knowledge acquired at the training in order to support and reduce their husband's expenses.

"It is encourage for us to have a garden at our backyards no matter how small and make a very good useful of it," she said.

NAN