For many Ghanaians, koobi and momoni are more than just ingredients. They give that special, irresistible taste to kontomire stew, garden eggs stew, okro soup and other local dishes.
But there is something important you should know.
Because koobi and momoni are preserved with a lot of salt, eating them too often and in large quantities can increase your daily salt intake.
What does too much salt do to your body?
When you eat too much salt, your body holds on to more water. This increases the amount of fluid in your blood vessels, which can raise your blood pressure.
If your blood pressure stays high for a long time, it puts extra strain on your heart, blood vessels and kidneys. Over time, this increases your risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney problems.
So should you stop eating koobi or momoni completely?
Not necessarily.
The problem is not the fish itself. The problem is too much salt.
You can still enjoy your favourite traditional foods. Just be smart about it:
1. Moderation is key: Don’t eat koobi or momoni every day, and don’t use large pieces at once.
2. Reduce other salt: If you are adding koobi or momoni, reduce or skip the extra salt and seasoning cubes you add to the stew or soup.
3. Soak and rinse: You can soak koobi in water for some time and rinse it before cooking to reduce some of the salt.
4. Watch your total diet: Remember, your total salt for the day comes from everything you eat – bread, indomie, canned foods, restaurant food, plus what you add in cooking.
If you already have high blood pressure, you need to be even more careful with salt, including salted fish.
The takeaway:
You don’t have to fear your traditional foods. Enjoy them in moderation and be mindful of how much salt you are consuming overall.
Stay healthy while enjoying our Ghanaian taste!
GOOD LIVING GHANA
_Health education for everyday life._
So tell us – Team Koobi or Team Momoni? Which one makes your stew complete?
