It is never too late to start eating right and help yourself or loved ones. These were the first words of a lady whose healing food came to be known as Fatma’s Kitchen.

Fatma has witnessed first-hand, in her own life and those she has prepared meals for, the transformation food can bring to one’s health. “Someone close to me had been struggling with bipolar for a very long time, only much later in their adult life, when I took to nutrition seriously, I approached them to consider managing the condition with food,” Fatma explains. To everyone’s surprise, the doctor saw improvement and reduced their medication considerably. The person expressed having more energy, feeling more alert and aware of their surroundings, and most importantly, better sleep. The main thing taken off the diet was wheat.

This set off a journey for Fatma –  healing through food.

Food plays a major role in every illness. If you change your diet you can begin healing yourself or someone you care about, from the inside – that is the best way to start even if one is on medication, Fatma asserts.

Some of the things to look out for are quite simple, for example, you avoid foods that cause inflammation in your body: foods like sugar, refined foods ( bread, chapati, chips etc), refined grains and vegetable oils. Eating foods that are rich in minerals and vitamins like leafy green vegetables, berries, lean meat for non-vegetarians, and so on, can promote your well-being more than you would expect.

This is not to say that physical food is adequate when one is healing or trying to manage a mental health problem. Soul food is just as important: loved ones sharing your journey, some activity that offers you fulfillment, a support group …

Nonetheless, the kitchen is a good place to start.

 In light of the World Mental Health Day recognised on October 10th, Fatma and Byawoman discussed how food is often not prioritised enough in managing mental health challenges.

Depression is among the most common mental health problem. Anxiety follows. No surprise with this fast-paced, social media glamoured life, our diminishing ability to form lasting and deep friendships: the pressures are many.

In our discussion we also acknowledged that in the western world there is better support for people with mental health problems, “In Africa, where I live, some still believe you are bewitched or cursed if you have a mental health problem; families try to hide you and this stops them from getting the support they need,” explains Fatma.

However, attitudes are slowly changing, and are getting more favourable as people become more knowledgeable.

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This year, the theme was Mental Health in the Workplace. Unlike before, where you could not work in an office if you had mental health problems, now you can, as long as you are stable enough to know what you are doing. In residential neighbourhoods, people with mental health problems, who do not work in an office, should be given responsibilities that they are able to handle, so they feel they are contributing and can earn some wage from it, Fatma emphasises.

Here, Fatma’s Kitchen offers a very simple break down on some of the best foods for the brain:

  1. Avocado – this fruit is one of the healthiest you can consume and one of Fatma’s all time favourite.
  2. Beetroot – unfortunately this is a food many avoid. In general, vegetables are less eaten. Experimenting with traditional, locally available greens is a good way to go about this. There are tremendously delicious ways to prepare one’s veggies.
  3. Berries -high in antioxidants.
  4. Bone broth –  it is the ultimate food for healing your gut and in turn healing your brain. This ancient food is packed with health benefits.
  5. Broccoli – has high levels of vitamin K and choline which helps keep your memory sharp.
  6. Coconut oil: it’s anti-inflammatory. It also helps with memory retention as one ages.

To conclude, Fatma points out that we should look out for nutrient density when choosing what to eat. Nutrient density refers to the amount of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and macronutrient ( protein, fats and carbohydrates). Foods that aren’t nutrient-dense in any sense are the ones to avoid: processed and refined foods.

These offer empty calories without the essential nutrients that we need for good health.


Fatma is a fervent believer in healing through food.  She has had the experience of assisting people suffering from depression, bipolar, low self-esteem and autoimmune problems. Her areas of expertise are nutrition for fitness and on how to kick start your metabolism at age 40+

If you seek to start a healing through food journey, or would like to gift this to a loved one, contact Fatma’s Kitchen on fatmakudwoli@yahoo.com

BONUS!!! SIMPLEST BRAIN SNACK RECIPE

Make this energy balls (approx. 30) with just:

  • 2 cup of any nut of your choice (except peanuts and preferably almonds)
  • 1 cup pitted dates
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon of ground ginger
  • 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon of natural vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Put everything in a food processor, except the vanilla extract.
  2. Process until it gets lumpy.
  3. Add the vanilla extract and process for another minute
  4. Use a tablespoon to scoop and mold into balls. Put in fridge to set.

Done!!! How much easier and tastier could healthy get!

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