In 1996, Egypt had the highest average BMI in the world at 26.3*, Even worse, today, Egyptian teenagers drink three times as much soda as milk. Ten percent of males and females drink five or more cans of soda a day. As a result, teenagers are three times as likely to be overweight than they were 20 years ago**.
However, and despite the disturbing statistics on Egyptian teens’ consumption of soda and soaring obesity levels, a new wave of health consciousness is taking over and aiming to turn this around.
From the latest healthy food shops to the farmers’ markets that have always been part of the Egyptian culture, we’re here to list five ways you can live healthy without having to empty your wallet.
1. Know your food
Healthy eating is about making smarter decisions regularly. While many healthy restaurants are now popping up across Cairo, you can significantly reduce the cost of your next salad or cup of fresh juice by making it yourself. Make sure your fruits and veggies are fresh by shopping at a farmers’ market or organic food shop.
2. Know your food — like, really know it!
What if I told you that I know people who are growing their own crops on rooftops and in their gardens? From potatoes and grapes to carrots and tomatoes, it turns out that those low-maintenance crops can be easily grown anywhere at really low costs. All you need is couple of wooden boxes and some seeds that you can easily buy from Bab Al Khalq.
By doing that, not only are you going to have direct access to higher-quality organic food, but you’ll also contribute to fighting pollution in a city that needs it most.
3. No gym? No problem!
Hey, we’re not saying you shouldn’t join a gym, Cairo definitely has a number of amazing gyms that’ll help you stay fit, but we’re saying that if you have the discipline to exercise on your own three times a week, then all you need is two dumbbells and a YouTube exercise video and you’re good to go!
Even better, ditch the dumbbells and try some of those new body weight workouts or go for a run. Cost? Zero!
4. Dance! Yes, dance!
It’s wedding season and instead of worrying about what to wear for the party, get excited for this opportunity to exercise for free — while, of course, sharing the happiness with the bride and groom.
Studies have indicated that awareness of physical activity gives better results with day-to-day activities like house chores or dancing. No weddings? No problem. It will cost you less than 10 LE to get the latest album from any DVD store and shake it in your own living room. Better yet, go for a fun dancing session at a dance studio.
5. Go to bed earlier
This could be one of the easiest items on the list and the most effective at the same time. However, if you are sleeping on a mattress that is older than you, you might need to get a newer one for better sleep quality.
* Galal, Osman M (2002). The Nutrition Transition in Egypt: Obesity, Undernutrition, and the Food Consumption Context. p. 147.
** Martorell, R (2000). Obesity in Women from Developing Countries.
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