There was a time when a 10kg bag of potatoes cost well over R300 in Southaa. Potatoes! Remember when social media was flooded with ama fully grown 1K with long term, stable employment bemoaning the price of 6 eggs. How much were those eggs? R120?

Living in South Africa is truly an extreme sport. In a country where the youth unemployment rate borders half by slim margins at 46.1% and crazy high costs of food- there is a crisis that is pressing, deeply concerning and not spoken about enough.

Food choices are made on account of what is economically viable. Amagwinya are delicious, but what should be a treat once-in-a-while is a staple. There isn't much nutritional value and they are deep fried. Not healthy at all. Saturated fats do not give the body what it needs to thrive.

Brain fog, fatigue, and blood sugar levels are some health aspects that can be regulated with a healthy diet. Now instead of fructose from an apple that costs R5 to help stabilize blood sugar, it's 25 sweets with for the same amount to spike energy levels because they are going to last longer.

iKota is what many young people resort to. It feels like a meal. Is it really? If it is, is it healthy? In these tough economic times is iKota ye R15 viable everyday?

Food for humans is what petrol is to a car. Sure, one can fast but that is a choice to refrain from eating - not being forced to not eat because you have no money to.

Not eating well affects:

• Academic performance
• Mental Health
• How you make decisions
• Sporting performance

and that's just the tip of the iceberg.

Got healthy budget friendly recipes you can share with the JiK’iverse? Let's help each other eat.