Londiwe Dlamini spends hours every day slaving over a hot stove to prepare phuthu (a crumbly pap made from mealiemeal) for her family. But her staple meal is likely to become a rarity in the future. That's if you read between the lines of a study by Stellenbosch University on changes in food consumption in South Africa since 1994.The study, published in the South African Journal of Science, is based on data collated from the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation and Euromonitor International.The casualties of freedom, the study found, are the traditional dishes such as phuthu and amabele (millet), consumption of which dropped by 4.6% and 66% respectively.Researchers found that food consumption patterns in South Africa have changed dramatically and would continue to do so in future.Urbanisation, a decline in the rural population, the rise of the black middle class and the move towards a more Western-oriented diet have been blamed for South Africans morphing into a nation of snackers and convenience-food eaters.story_article_left1In a year, according to the stats, the average South African consumes:• Up to 92 litres of sugary drinks;• Nearly 3kg of sweet and savoury treats;• About 58kg of meat;• 30kg of potatoes; and• Up to 3kg of sauces, salad dressing and condiments.Consumption of these foods have all increased dramatically in the past 20 years. Researchers warned this week that this wasa "concern for public health", increased obesity and noncommunicable diseases in particular.But they point out that a healthy diet is largely unaffordable for most South Africans, considering that price is the most important factor when buying food. This, they believe, is why South African freezers are full of ready meals and processed foods.Dlamini, a Durban mother of two, prefers cooking from scratch over convenient ready meals, and is determined to feed her children wholesome, traditional food."I feed them maizemeal every morning. Among blacks it's a must that children eat this. I also cook phuthu nearly every night; it's filling and wholesome for my family," she said.Phuthu always features on the menu, even at her weekly Sunday braai, when the family feast on chops and sausages.However, according to the researchers, our braai culture and a "trend towards home dining to save money" are leading to an increase in the use of sauces, dressings and condiments.Dlamini spends up to R300 a month on biscuits and chips, which supports the report's finding that the consumption of snacks has increased by more than 50% since 1994.Crackers, it seems, appeal to high-income groups that entertain at home and sweet biscuits are the choice of lower-income consumers.The report also found that soft drinks were second to fruit as "the most commonly purchased street food item".story_article_right2"The high prevalence of soft drink consumption is concerning in terms of its association with obesity and noncommunicable diseases."According to the report, a recent US study concluded that added sugar intake from sugar-sweetened soft drinks "is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease mortality".Researcher Professor Nick Vink, head of the university's agricultural economics department, said that in some cases, changes in diet were "towards healthy foods, in some cases there is a conflict and in other cases people acquire bad habits".Fellow researcher Dr Gunnar Sigge, head of the university's food science department, said South Africans eating out "has also increased, which is contributing to a higher kilojoule intake".sub_head_start Snapshot of a South African diet sub_head_endPublic relations practitioner Samukele Ngubane spends between R800 and R1200 on food for her family of four. She's into "eating as healthily as possible". This is her food diary on a typical day:BREAKFAST• Cereal;• Scrambled eggs with red and green peppers, mushrooms and grilled tomato; and• Rooibos tea.mini_story_image_hright1LUNCH• Sandwiches, either with white or brown bread. Fillings include bacon, cheese, tomato and peanut butter;• Hotdogs;• Leftovers from dinner;• Milkshake;• Fruit; and• Juice.DINNER• Rice;• Cabbage, butternut or beetroot;• Lamb, chicken or fish; and• Baked potato, baked beans and sausages.- Samukele Ngubane..