UKZN Student’s Free Food Pack With Aromat, Kellogg’s and Other Brands in TikTok Video Impresses SA

• A lady who attends the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) showed people how the institution helps to feed her
• The TikTok creator posted a video showing the groceries that she received for free as a student at UKZN
• UKZN gave Briefly News details about how the Food Security Programme at UKZN operates to help students in need
• A registered dietitian from Nutritional Solutions spoke to Briefly News and evaluated the nutritional value of the free UKZN food parcel

One young lady attending UKZN showed people that she gets free food. The student at UKZN's Westville campus posted a video about how much the university helped her.

The video of the woman in university showing gratitude for the food amassed over 2,000 likes. Nutritional Solutions’ Jemma van den Berg, a Stellenbosch University BSC in Dietetics Cum Laude graduate and now registered dietician, gave Briefly News insight into the nutritional value of UKZN’s food pack to help students in need.

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UKZN student unpacks free groceries

In a video by boitumelo_s, she filmed a haul of all the food she received as part of UKZN's free food parcel project. Her package included Kellogg's cornflakes, Maggi noodles, Lucky Star tin fish, 500g of Huletts sugar, a packet of maize, Aromat, salt, a pack of pads and other necessities including soap. The University also included a can of jam and a pack of Glen tea. The young lady said she got the parcel because she's registered in the Health Sciences faculty.

To make the best of the food parcels, UKZN explained to Briefly News that students also get guidance on how to follow a nutritious diet. UKZN said:

" There are presentations from academics in the school of nutrition and dietetics who give tips on how to prepare meals, and on the importance of both nutrition and mental health."

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Watch the video of her food haul below:

Registered dietitian Ms van den Berg told Briefly News adults older than 18 generally need a balanced diet of carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables to meet their macro and micronutrient requirements, depending on their lifestyle. The Nutritional Solutions expert said the food pack covers basic nutrition by including maize, cereal and noodles as the carbohydrates, healthy fats by way of the cooking oil, which is unsaturated fat, and omega 3-fatty acid with the canned fish. Ms van den Berg highlighted:

“There is only one source of protein, namely the canned fish. There are also no fruits or vegetables included in the packs. These provide essential vitamins and minerals for this age group, and are critical to include.”

What nutrients are best for University students?

Jemma van den Berg from Nutritional Solutions told Briefly News that complex carbohydrates (carbs) with fibre (oats, brown bread, brown rice etc) may be better alternatives to simple carbs in the food pack. She commented that maize and cereal are simple carbohydrates that may cause an appetite increase as they digest quickly, causing blood sugar levels to rise and fall quickly, which is unsustainable for students who need to concentrate in long lectures. The dietitian added that including protein together with complex carbohydrates would help to make students feel full for much longer.

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Nutritional Solutions’ Ms van den Berg shared with Briefly News some affordable foods that would make the food pack even more nutritious. The registered dietitian said she would replace cereal with oats, noodles with brown rice as well as add canned veggies or a whole butternut (no fridge needed) and fruits such as apples or bananas. Ms van den Berg said:

“I would add a packet of dried lentils or peas, as these are high in fibre and protein. Vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables would help maintain energy and boost cognitive function, which is important at a university level.”

How do students get free food packs at UKZN?

UKZN's Food Security Programme started in 2012 and the university told Briefly News that it is available to students who report as being food insecure at support centres such as the campus health clinics, student support services and more. The students are put on a list and get notifications when food parcels are available. Food parcels are available thanks to donors such as Gift of the Givers, Rise Against Hunger, Food Fowards and UKZN's fund. The grocery parcels are given on a first come first served basis and usually happen once a month or more if donors send top-ups.

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South Africa applauds UKZN

Many people complimented UKZN for taking good care of their students who are in need. Online users also appreciated that the university tried to get good quality brands included in the food parcel.

@Nokwanda applauded:

"Food parcel with such brands 👌💃"

Makhosazana🇿🇦 was moved:

"The gratitude in your voice 🥰🔥"

palesa_mgabadzeli was amazed:

"Hawu senithole amaFood parcels 😭😭? thina ?😭What course?"

Mamcusi dimples also asked:

"Hi sisi how did you get it my daughter she will be attending eUkzn"

Child of the most high, the TikToker replied:

"I got it because I am in the Health Sciences faculty and I started 3 weeks ago so that’s the only reason we got."

CURLY GODDESS was curious:

"What campus gives free food/parcels 😭"

Child of the most high 🫰🏽the creator responded:

"All the campuses have good parcels but I’m in Westville."

Ladyjohns_ declared:

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"This should be initiated in all varsities."

4 Briefly News food haul stories

• A student posted a TikTok video showing people the shopping she could afford to ensure she would not go hungry.
• One lady with only R100 to spare showed people all the food items she was able to purchase on the small budget.
• South Africans applauded another TikToker for making her hard-earned money stretch as she showed the groceries she bought with a few hundred rands.
• Online users appreciated a woman who demonstrated that R500 is enough money to ensure meals for a whole month.

Source: Briefly News