SUBSCRIBE
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi

Wanna go plant-based ? You may want to listen to this!

by Sidima Mfeku
20th January 2022
in Conversations, Podcast, Trending
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
On episode 25 of Sisters Without Shame, Dr Nanine Wyma unpacks plant-based diets. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

On episode 25 of Sisters Without Shame, Dr Nanine Wyma unpacks plant-based diets. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

On this week’s edition of the Sisters Without Shame podcast, a listener says that she’s ready to test the vegan waters, but rather confused about where to start. So, we hooked up with programme manager for ProVeg International in Mzansi, Dr Nanine Wyma, to give clarity on plant-based lifestyles.

ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation with the mission to reduce the global consumption of animals by at least 50% by 2040.

First up, know your stuff

Dr Nanine Wyma, managing director of the Physicians’ Association for Nutrition (PAN) in South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi
Dr Nanine Wyma, managing director of the Physicians’ Association for Nutrition (PAN) in South Africa. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Before considering a plant-based diet, it is important to establish your “ism’s”: That is vegetarianism, flexitarianism and veganism.

Veganism is more of a lifestyle than a diet, Wyma explains. “It is a broader lifestyle that aims at reducing and eliminating animal suffering,” she says.

“Looking at the diet of vegans you won’t find any meat, fish, chicken no animal bi products such as eggs cheese etc. the diet extends to even smaller animals in form of insects like your bees, so vegans wouldn’t eat any honey. Individuals who follow this lifestyle would not have any leather and for them, cosmetics would not and should not be tested on animals.”

Vegetarianism excludes the consumption of meat with or without milk products and eggs. “It is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat, and it may also include by-products of animal slaughter.”

Flexitarianism is a diet encourages mostly plant-based food while allowing meat in moderation. “One week they might want to eat pure vegetables with no meat and the other week they would go a full week with food containing both vegetables and meat with some other products that don’t form part of the other lifestyle but the other.”

Carbs were never the enemy

If you are considering the transition, it is also important to not the challenges in the shift. One she believes is changing your perspective around food and toxic diet culture.

Carbs, for one, were never really the enemy.

“When going for a plant-based diet, you are going up against many myths. For people, like me, who were born in the 90s, we were born into diet culture and back then models were too skinny and there were very unrealistic beauty expectations, as a result we grew up to those unrealistic diet and body expectations,” she says.

“When you begin to live off a plant-based diet you need to eat substantial amount of carbohydrates so that you get full, and you get enough sugars. This does not mean you need to eat processed unhealthy carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are contained in starch containing vegetables like potatoes.”

Listen to the full interview on Sisters Without Shame 

Spotify: Click here to listen on Spotify (all mobile and other devices). 

Apple Podcasts: Click here to listen on any Apple device.

Google Podcasts: Click here to listen on Google Podcast.

Instant play: Just click “play” to listen right here on this browser.

Want to connect with Sisters Without shame? 

To send an SOS to Sisters Without Shame, email hello@healthformzansi. Alternatively, send a WhatsApp to 076 132 0454.

ALSO READ: Easy peasy cauli-power nachos

Tags: HealthHealthy lifestyleNutrition
Sidima Mfeku

Sidima Mfeku

Related Articles

From shame to support: Break the silence on mental health
My Health

From shame to support: Break the silence on mental health

by Vateka Halile
17th July 2025
Mental health
Health Heroes

KZN community health workers take on mental health crisis

by Sue Segar
14th July 2025

Stories

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites
Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics
Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy
Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen
No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches
How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth
Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing
Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers
No Result
View All Result

Latest

From shame to support: Break the silence on mental health
My Health

From shame to support: Break the silence on mental health

by Vateka Halile
17th July 2025

Mental health affects everyone – rich or poor, young or old. Yet, stigma remains strong. Experts share valuable advice on...

Read moreDetails

Fight off winter bugs with this power-packed mince & veggie dish

15th July 2025
Mental health

KZN community health workers take on mental health crisis

14th July 2025
Ginger

Grow your own ginger and spice up your health

10th July 2025
Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness

Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness

8th July 2025
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Awards & Impact
Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy
Copyright

Somagwaza

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites

cropped-scott-webb-yekGLpc3vro-unsplash.jpeg

Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics

Dr Sinethemba Makanya

Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy

From shame to support: Break the silence on mental health

Fight off winter bugs with this power-packed mince & veggie dish

KZN community health workers take on mental health crisis

Grow your own ginger and spice up your health

Carnivore diet: Experts warn against meat-only madness

Pill by pill: How addiction nearly destroyed a mother’s life

error: Content is protected !!
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
    • Health Heroes
    • TV
  • Grow It
  • My Food
    • Nutrition
    • Recipes

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

HIV and initiation: Supporting boys through cultural rites Security fails as gangs target Eastern Cape clinics Dr Makanya blends spiritual healing with art therapy Canola oil: A heart-healthy choice for your kitchen No more pain! Tackle the torment of toothaches How smoking causes harmful bacteria in your mouth Discover delicious, healthy dishes that will make your heart sing Rediscover the joy of creamy pap with chicken livers