The importance of Nutrition

It is important to consider nutrition in menu planning. The provision of an adequate diet is so vital because the ability of the body to function well is dependent on the constituents found in a variety of foods. One food may contain one or two nutrients but no one food alone contains all the nutrients in amounts necessary for good nutrition . Therefore, to ensure adequate intake of all the nutrients, it is necessary to include a variety of foods.

Along with water , there are six essential components for good health , which if consumed in the correct proportions, will provide the body with both sustained energy and the correct balance nutrients required.

Food Allergy

A food allergy involves an immune system reaction that is triggered when a specific food or food additive is eaten. The reaction may be started by ingestion of only a small amount of food. It may also occur very suddenly after eating the food and can be serious, even life-threatening. This severe reaction is called anaphylactic shock or anaphylaxis.

Often a child need to eat food more than once before a parent knows the child is allergic. For example, the first time the child is exposed to nuts, there will probably be no reaction. But if the child develops an allergy to nuts, subsequent exposures could be serious, perhaps even fatal. The initial allergic reaction act likes a warning signal for later reactions. This holds true for nuts and many other highly allergenic substances.

A child with food allergy may be developed wheezing, hives, vomiting or diarrhea. The diagnosis of food allergies is difficult to make and requires a physician.

Any foodd can trigger an allergenic reaction . Common trigger foods are Cow's milk , Nuts, Eggs, Peanut butter, Fish or shellfish.

Common Dietary Problems

Common Dietary Problems

1. Obesity/overweight
2. Anemia
3. Scurvy
4. Vitamin D Deficiency
5. Malnutrition


Obesity - body weight of at least 20% in excess of normal body weight for his height, age, sex and build. This can be serious health hazard because the patient is highly susceptible to diseases.

Formula: BMI=wt In lbs x 03 =
Ht. In inches2
= kg/m2

BMI < 20 - underweight BMI 20-24 - normal BMI 25-29 - overweight BMI> = 30 -obese


Causes
1. Overeating (comfort eating, boredom)
2. Sedentary lifestyle
3. Low basal metabolism (endocrine problem)
4. Heredity
5. Drugs
6. Cultural Factors

Being Overweight
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Makes exercise Difficult
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Leads to weight gain


Complications

1. Diabetes mellitus
2. Heart disease
3. high blood pressure – may lead to MI or stroke
4. High blood cholesterol
5. Osteoarthritis

Commercial vs. Homemade Foods

Homemade and commercial foods both provide the necessary nutrients. A wider variety maybe available in commercial products which are often more convenient . No salt or additives are added to commercial infant foods. Some fruit products and desserts contain sugar to lower the activity.

Homemade foods may be less costly if the ingredients are in season and if they can be prepared without added salt/sugar or spices and precisely to the infant preferences for texture. However as a rule it may be safer for child care facilities to use only commercially prepared foods as it is readily available and it much more convenient to prepare.

Steroids in Olympics?

Imagine after winning the most coveted medal in sports arena, you will end up with nothing after long time of hard work and practice. To some it may sound a tragic ending to a very touching story. However, if you will dig up the real facts you will find out that sometimes it is not always the case. It is no longer new for people to hear about Olympics medalists being stripped of their medals for using steroids. The scandal continues to destroy the career of athletes, like Tyler Hamilton, who received an eight year ban from cycling after admitting the use of herbal product knowing it includes steroid, to fight depression. One of the common steroids being used by athletes is the Clentuberol or otherwise known as clen. This is used to let the body stay active and in order to lose fat. However, one of the major drawbacks is that it will affect the performance of pulmonary, cardiac, and central nervous system. Thus, the doctors will always say that if you want to stroids you have to consider its potential side effects. Better safe than sorry. Lastly, it may not be the end of steroids looming the sporting events, but if the laws will be effectively imposed, I know it will somehow lessen the use of these drugs to have an unfair advantage.