Changing lives: Hinauri Petana’s life saving transformation

By Dr. Walter Vermeulen 18 November 2017, 12:00AM

The Whole Foods, Plant-Based (W.F.P.B.) nutrition that M.E.T.I. is promoting is recommended for the prevention or the reversal of various chronic degenerative diseases such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Heart Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout. 

It protects against certain types of Cancer (in particular cancer of the breast, prostate, colon or lungs) and prolongs the survival of those patients that are affected by these cancers. On top of all that: the W.F.P.B. diet is a sure way to stay slim or to combat Obesity!

The typical diet that the average Samoan now consumes is close to what is called the Western animal-based diet: high in fat (providing up to 50% of the energy), high in animal products and therefore high in cholesterol and animal protein. Such diet also favours ‘simple’ (bad) carbohydrates (like refined sugars) instead of ‘complex’ (good) carbohydrates (like starchy vegetables such as taro). 

There is no question about it: the W.F.P.B. diet means a radical change from the foods that the average Samoan is now used to eat: it contains no animal products and is entirely based on plant products. It is low in fat (providing only 10% of the energy), contains no cholesterol, but offers the same amount of proteins (except that they are entirely of plant origin). 

It discourages the use of ‘refined’ carbohydrates and is high in ‘complex’ carbohydrates. The W.F.P.B. diet can be called a low fat vegan diet. It allows any possible combinations of four food groups: vegetables, fruits, legumes (which are beans, peas or lentils) and whole grains. As the name implies: those, who follow the W.F.P.B. diet will eat ‘whole (and thus natural) foods’, not processed foods or those extracted from whole foods, like oils; they will eat ‘plant based’ foods: and therefore avoid animal products. It would take a long list to write down all the ‘animal products’ you should avoid. But there is an easier way to remember what ‘animal products’ are: they are ‘anything with a face or a mother’! A chicken has a face, so does a pig or a fish.

An egg or a glass of cow’s milk has a mother: you stay away from it! It comes down to stop consuming meat (including fish), animal dairy products, eggs and on top of all that: oils, which –as mentioned- are not ‘whole foods’ but extracts. 

Following the W.F.P.B. diet requires an adjustment in the way you prepare meals: you simply stop frying things and only steam, boil or bake your foods and stick to the four food categories mentioned: vegetables, fruits, legumes and grains.

In the Health Seminar that M.E.T.I. invites you to attend we will discuss ways to make it easier for you to adapt to this new life style. One way will be to learn about recipes that can replace the products you have been used to for many years but which you now need to avoid to regain your health. In this Health column we will offer you a weekly W.F.P.B. recipe that is easy to make and produces a delicious product. This week, we start with ‘chickpea paste’ (also called ‘hummus’ – a popular Middle Eastern dish). And what does hummus replace? It replaces the butter you were used to put on your bread! Butter is an animal dairy product (it has a mother!) and is to be avoided when following the W.F.P.B. diet. NO-TAHINI HUMMUS

INGREDIENTS

• 1 CAN OF CHICKPEAS –DRAINED

• 2 GARLIC CLOVES – CRUSHED

• 2 TABLESPOONS OF FRESH LEMON JUICE

• 2 TABLESPOONS CHICKPEA BROTH

• PINCH OF SALT AND PEPPER AND TURMERIC TO TASTE

 

PREPARATION

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and process until smooth. Add more chickpea broth or water as required to obtain a creamy texture.

The testimony for this week is offered by Ms. Hinauri Petana, former C.E.O., Ministry of Finance and now, Samoa High Commissioner in Canberra. In her own words, she explains how she reversed her diabetes. 

For those of you who want more details of the WFPB diet, we suggest you participate in our Health Seminar – in Samoan and English- that explains how people develop these chronic diseases and how, by strictly following the WFPB diet, they can get rid of them.

Participants of the Health Seminars are able to taste some of the food preparations that are recommended and receive hand-outs with easy to follow recipes. Come and visit us at Motootua to register and attend our next Health Seminar. You can reach us at 7636358 or 7239297 during working hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. 

 

Hinauri Petana’s testimony 

Village: Vaivase-tai

Warm greetings you all. I am Hinauri Petana. 

I was invited by M.E.T.I. to share a testimony about M.E.T.I’s Health Programme to promote healthy eating. 

Most of you (family and friends) may know me as an obese person. 

I was 326lbs. Since I started on the Programme in May 2013, my weight has dropped to 222lbs. 

It was not easy, as most times we are surrounded by food almost everywhere when we have family gatherings in Samoa. 

The programme is based on the philosophy that it is most healthy to eat from the land. It was a challenge in the beginning but once I started, I was able to experience and feel new changes after two weeks. 

Within a month I lost more pounds. 

So the question is, why did I have to take up this diet? 

Yes firstly, I was Type 2 diabetes, a prolonged complication I had with me.

Though I was fully aware of the poor condition my health was in, I was still ignorant when it came to my diabetic condition, and continued on with my bad eating habits. 

My condition worsened and I ended up on insulin, 60 units in the evening, plus metformin, acupril as well as you may wonder why. 

Oh well all because I have become better and stronger after changing my diet. I should also say that it was still a challenge especially when I had to attend meetings where most would just love to talk over some fatty meal, and soft drinks of all sorts, the major cause of most non communicable diseases.

Today, I am simply here to share with you the importance of the Whole Foods plant Based Diet.

By Dr. Walter Vermeulen 18 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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