Is it possible that the use of herbs (and spices) can improve the taste of our foods and also positively impact our health? Herbs (and spices) are widely used in the Caribbean in many ways.

It is well established that an adequate intake of the mineral calcium is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Did you know that calcium also plays an important role in other systems in the body? It circulates in the blood to carry out important functions relating to the clotting of blood, regulation of muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, and maintaining a steady heartbeat.

As a follow-up to the first issue on physical activity, Nyam News continues this series by showing how physical activity can be promoted.

The incidence of diabetes continues to increase in the Caribbean due to many contributing factors, but the most significant factors are directly linked to prevalence of sedentary lifestyle, diet and obesity. In this issue of Nyam News we willexplore why it is so important to practise a healthy lifestyle through physical activity to prevent or control diabetes.

The health, growth and development of the foetus depend on the nutritional
status of the mother before conception and during pregnancy. Women who
are underweight or overweight at the time of conception are at a greater
risk of developing complications during pregnancy, labour and delivery and having premature and low birth weight infants. However, once pregnant, women should not try to lose weight but should have adequate nutrition throughout pregnancy as this is the time when the foetus requires extra nutritional requirements which can only be met by dietary intake and body stores.