Returning to Our Roots: A Pathway to Healing Fiji’s NCD Crisis

As Fijians, we have always shared a deep bond with our land, our sea, and the food they provide. For generations, our people lived on fresh fish, root crops like dalo and cassava, leafy greens, coconut, and seasonal fruits. Meals were prepared with care, shared with family, and tied closely to our identity and way of life.

Today, however, things have changed—and not for the better. Across the country, more people are being affected by non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. These illnesses are no longer rare; they are now part of everyday life, taking loved ones too early and placing a heavy burden on families and communities.

From Natural Foods to Processed Convenience

One of the biggest changes we have made is in the way we eat. Where we once relied on food from our farms, rivers, and reefs, many of us now depend on store-bought and heavily processed foods. Quick meals like instant noodles, canned meat, and sugary drinks have become common in our homes.

These foods are convenient, yes, but they often come with high amounts of salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, and lack the nutrients our bodies truly need. Over time, this shift has quietly contributed to rising health problems, weight gain, and chronic disease.

In many ways, we have drifted away from what once kept us strong.

The Strength of Traditional Diets

Our traditional Fijian diet is not something of the past—it is something we need now more than ever. The foods our elders grew up eating were rich, natural, and balanced. Root crops provided energy, fresh fish offered protein, and vegetables and fruits gave essential vitamins and minerals.

Traditional meals were also naturally lower in processed ingredients and free from artificial additives. They filled the body in a wholesome way and supported long-term health.

Beyond nutrition, traditional food preparation also encouraged physical activity, fishing, harvesting, and cooking, which supported an active and connected lifestyle.

Reclaiming What We Already Know

The solution to our current health crisis does not have to be complicated. In many ways, it lies in returning to the wisdom we already have.

Imagine a simple shift:

Choosing fresh fish instead of canned meat
Cooking dalo, bele, or rourou instead of instant meals
Drinking fresh coconut water or plain water instead of sugary drinks

These choices may seem small, but when practiced consistently, they can transform our health. Families can begin planting backyard gardens, communities can encourage local farming, and children can grow up learning how to prepare real, nourishing food.

This is not about rejecting modern life, it is about finding balance and putting our health first.

Personal Responsibility

At the heart of this issue is a personal decision that each of us must make. Every day, we choose what to eat. Those choices shape not only our own health, but also the health of our children and our communities.

We cannot ignore what is happening around us. Too many families are grieving preventable losses. Too many young people are facing diseases that once affected only older generations.

By returning to traditional diets and food preparation methods, we are not just honoring our culture, we are protecting our future.

Looking Forward by Looking Back

Fiji is at a turning point. The path we are on is leading to more illnesses and premature deaths, but we have the power to change direction.

The answer does not lie in expensive solutions or complicated systems. It lies in the soil beneath our feet, the food in our gardens, and the traditions passed down through generations.

If we choose to return to these roots—to cook, eat, and live the way our ancestors once did—we can begin to reverse the damage and build a healthier, stronger Fiji.

Because sometimes, the best way forward is to go back to what we have always known.