Agri-nutrition

The biggest threat to the health and well-being of humanity right now is the global climate change crisis. No one is immune to the detrimental effects of climate change, from people in the low-income cohort to the high-income earning ones. Climate change is impacting the health of many in a myriad of ways, like disrupting food systems, causing food and water-borne diseases, and many other health infirmities.

I firmly believe in changing the world one family unit at a time. Embracing the concept of having a nutrition garden in every family despite the space available will help achieve zero hunger and promote good health and well-being for the entire family. Therefore, integrating agriculture and nutrition in this context will curb the immediate issue of malnutrition and any nutrient deficiencies in the family.

Using readily available indigenous foods and embracing diversified agriculture can promote the availability of diverse nutritious diets in a family unit. Growing a nutrition-based kitchen garden is essential to reduce malnutrition and deficiencies in the family.

WHAT IS A NUTRITION-KITCHEN GARDEN?

A nutrition Kitchen garden here only grows fruits and vegetables with exceptionally high levels of essential nutrients. Therefore, a smaller area is needed to produce the minerals and vitamins without wasting space, water, workforce, or money on expensive garden structures like greenhouses.

The kind of foods that practical Nutrition consultants recommend to be in the nutrition gardens
Include:

Leafy Vegetables

Vegetables like spinach, cabbages, kale, and other indigenous green leafy vegetables. These will maximize the consumption of vitamins and essential nutrients in the family unit.

Legumes which include peas and beans an excellent source of protein and fiber.

Root Crops Like carrots, sweet potatoes, and onions are good sources of beta-carotene and fiber

Crop Rotation

Crop rotation helps maintain the soil’s health and increase the yield from the nutrition kitchen garden. The kind of crop rotation recommended in the nutrition garden involves planting Leafy crops after a Legume crop because they need more nitrogen to grow large leaves.

 Legume Crops produce much extra nitrogen that can be plowed back into the soil after the peas and beans are harvested.

Root Crops grow better when there is less nitrogen in the soil. Therefore after leafy crops, which remove nitrogen from the soil, plant root crops. If well adhered to, this concept of crop rotation will yield a bountiful, nutritious harvest for the family.

Contact us via info@practicalnutritionconsultants.org for booking, training, and consultation on nutrition garden setup and maintenance.

A kitchen garden is a small–scale version of growing vegetables, herbs, and fruits for domestic use. The good thing about a kitchen garden is that it can be done anywhere, even in urban setups on balconies, backyards, or any other open space.

I love that it allows one to grow their own fresh, healthier and organic foods. In this day and age, where we are dealing with the issue of climate change and food insecurity, a kitchen garden is essential for every family unit.

 When done with Nutrition in mind, I like calling it a kitchen nutrition garden. Here you major in plants, herbs, and fruits that provide essential nutrients in the diet.

At Practical Nutrition Consultants, we recommend every mother in our group to embrace the kitchen nutrition garden concept to help improve the nutrition status of the family and children. In addition, it can enhance the family’s livelihood as the budget for vegetables is channeled elsewhere, like education, rent, fuel, and any other need a family has. 7 key reasons for having a kitchen garden in the family.

7 key reasons why every family should have a kitchen garden

1. Clean Air

A kitchen garden purifies the Air around it, whether on the balcony or in the backyard, with the excellent oxygen it gives out.

2. Aesthetics Matter 

Plants make your home greener, uplift your mood, and make you more optimistic. I love seeing the beauty it brings out in a compound.

3. Organic, Fresh Vegetables

Growing own fruits and vegetables can offer the opportunity to reduce the amount of pesticides used commercially. Organically grown vegetables are the best in terms of nutrients that they provide, and freshness.

4. Compost Your Waste

Plant fertilizer made from decaying organic material and kitchen wastes will help your plants grow faster while allowing you to get rid of your garbage. You can also recycle vegetables in your kitchen garden by collecting your unwanted vegetables and making compost for them, and using it again for compost for growing new vegetables and herbs

5. Cheap and Easy 

A kitchen garden can help you grow things at home and bring down the need to buy from the market, and the money earlier budgeted for vegetables can be channeled into other family needs.

6. Health Friendly 

Having a kitchen garden is a great way to engage the whole family in physical activity. Gardening is known to reduce levels of stress hormones. Personally, I find it therapeutic and enjoyable to work in the kitchen garden.

7. Eradicate Food Insecurity

Once a family can grow their food, the issue of food insecurity is eradicated; since the family can access clean, safe, and sufficient food through kitchen gardening.

Reach us at info@practicalnutritionconsultants.org and let us walk with you as you set up your kitchen nutrition garden.