Ngapuhi Festival wares ‘Sweet As’

25 January 2012

Ngapuhi Festival wares ‘Sweet As’

Northland District Health Board’s Public Health Dietitian Haidee Ryan is delighted stall-holders and this years Ngapuhi Festival are embracing healthier choices for their Iwi.

With 40,000 people expected to attend this years Festival, which will be held on 28-29 January at Northland College in Kaikohe, the race against diabetes is a key kaupapa for the festivities.

Over the last ten years the rate of diabetes has nearly doubled in New Zealand with over 200,000 people, and their families, living with diabetes. Northland has a disproportionately high rate of type 2 diabetes compared to the national average, and yet so many remain undiagnosed.

“Type Two Diabetes is avoidable. It disabling and deadly so lets’ get a handle on it before it gets that bad,” says Haidee.

To make healthier options is not about diets, it’s about making small lifestyle changes which all add up at the end of the day. We’re not talking about restricting whanau to celery and carrot sticks. Just small adjustments to recipes, without affecting the taste, and attitudes toward activity which will equal long term gains for the whole whanau.”

As part of this, Haidee is working with organisers and stall holders to provide healthier options, as well as the usual favourites. Stallholders offering the ‘healthier’ option will be sporting the ‘Sweet As’ logo. Haidee says they are taking the opportunity to produce their delicious kai in a more health conscious way, without sacrificing on taste.

“I have taken some of these normally calorie laden recipes, made a few subtle changes to the ingredients, and had colleagues try them for taste. Of course I didn’t tell them it was a healthier option, and they couldn’t tell the difference.

“It’s about a little off here and there; add some healthy activity, and you’re on your way – it has to be sustainable. It is also about more than just yourself, it’s about the future of Ngapuhi, diabetes is afflicting too many, we can eliminate it from our tamariki’s future.”

ENDS