A few days ago a very good friend of mine, Jamel Hardtman, posted something on Facebook that grabbed the attention of quite a few people.

Mr Hardtman stated that governments around the world are missing the boat by failing to encourage people to increase their healthy food intake and exercise during this ongoing pandemic.

Essentially, whilst governments have been emphasising the needed guidelines for Covid-19 mitigation such as; wearing masks, social distancing, and immunisations, they should also be helping persons to focus on boosting their immunity through healthier living.

This is indeed a very valid point, as there can never be too much focus on better diet and health.

Freedom of choice

What is a bit ironic is that a few years ago, Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, launched a multiyear campaign against the ongoing epidemics of obesity, diabetes, kidney failure and hypertension.

A lot of emphasis was put on explaining the dangers of too much sugar intake and the need for Bermudians to get out and get active.

Many took heed and modified their diets but others took to social media to complain that the government has no right to tell people what they should or should not eat. If they wanted to eat fast foods and chocolates every day, they said it was their democratic right to do so.

There is no one who can argue against this point.

Life is about options and personal responsibility. If someone wants to consume sodas and other sweetened drinks versus a healthy intake of water that is their right.

But they need to understand that they will spend more of their disposable income on these items. More importantly, they will, in the short and long term, damage their bodies.

That is not scaremongering, those are simple facts.

Sugar addictions

As a country, we are collectively addicted to fast foods, salts and sugars in all of its multiple forms, whether it be in the drinks that we buy daily, the syrup we layer on those pancakes and waffles, the extra salt that we request on our French fries or the fancy pastries we gleefully purchase from our favourite bakeries.

Over the last year many of us have ordered more take out foods, consumed more sugary snacks and drunk more alcohol.

The net result has been that many have gained weight and more dangerously, have taken one or two further steps closer to becoming a statistic, joining the thousands suffering with diabetes, heart conditions and hypertension.

All of this leads to more Bermudians dying from avoidable complications related to obesity, diabetes and hypertension than those who may die from Covid-19 related deaths.

Boosting immunity

The health ministry must continue to emphasise the dangers of too much of certain foods and drinks. As importantly, we all should know some of the key ways to boost our immunity, including the following:

●Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

●Increasing Vitamin C intake via citrus fruits

●Exercise regularly

●Maintain a healthy weight

●Drink only in moderation

●Get adequate sleep.

At the end of the day, it is up to individuals and individuals alone to make the right decisions for their own health.

It is indeed about personal responsibility.