Healthier Foods and Special Diets

What Our Bodies need for life Carbohydrates Protein Calcium Vitamin A Vitamin B (Folic Acid) Iron

Carbohydrates Come from : Carbohydrates are found in almost all living things and play a critical role in the proper functioning of the immune system, fertilization, pathogenesis, blood clotting, and human development.

Protein Comes From : Protein is a macro nutrient composed of amino acids that is necessary for the proper growth and function of the human body. While the body can manufacture several amino acids required for protein production, a set of essential amino acids needs to be obtained from animal and/or vegetable protein sources.

Calcium Comes From: Calcium is needed for good teeth and strong bones and for the proper function of nerves, muscles, kidneys, and the heart. Not having enough calcium in the diet is one of many factors associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis, a disease that speeds up the process of the natural loss of calcium in the bones. This causes the bones to become weak and fragile, leading to loss of height, curved spines, and bone fractures, especially in women. Calcium is especially important in Children as it helps them to develop strong teeth and bones as they grow.

Vitamin A Comes From: Vitamin A is an essential vitamin required for vision, gene transcription, boosting immune function, and great skin health. A deficiency in vitamin A can lead to blindness and increased viral infection, however deficiency is only considered a problem in developing countries where it is a leading cause of blindness in children

Vitamin B (Folic Acid) Comes from : Vitamin B (folic acid) is required for numerous body functions including DNA synthesis and repair, cell division, and cell growth. A deficiency of Vitamin B can lead to anaemia in adults, and slower development in children. For pregnant women, folic acid is especially important for proper foetal development.

Iron Comes from : Iron is an essential mineral used to transport oxygen to all parts of the body. A slight deficiency in iron causes anaemia (fatigue/weakness), and a chronic deficiency can lead to organ failure.

Diet Good Diet = Bad Diet =

Poor Diets High Sugar = Poor diet = MalnutritionObesityHeart Disease

Guidelines to Diet Reduce : Healthy Balanced diet is : Better for you, Reduce the chance of Heart Disease, Diabetes and Malnutrition FatSaltSugar Increase : Fresh FoodsFibreCalcium

Cooking practices For Better Results and maximum Nutritional value : 1)Cook Fresh to the minute 2) Use as little fat as possible 3) Trim Fat if needed 4) Drain excess fat if frying 5) When cooking green veg look at Steaming to retain vitamins.

Government Campaigns Food Labelling 5 a Day Fruit and Veg Healthy living Best Place to Keep up to date on Nutritional Guidelines

Specialist diets Religious Muslim No Pork or Alcohol

Religious Hinduism No Meat, Fish Poultry or Eggs No Alcohol

Medical Low Fat Diets Heart problems Obesity General health Food Allergies Coeliac (Gluten Intolerance) Nuts

Religious Jewish No Pork NoCrustaceans Jewish food is known as Kosher

Vegetarians Different types of vegetarian 1. LACTO VEGETARIANS They eat no flesh of any kind. Their diet consists of fruit and vegetables and dairy products(vegetarian cheese only) 2. LACTO-OVO-VEGETARIANS They eat the same as the lacto vegetarians but also include eggs in their diet 3. VEGANS They eat only plant food. They eat no flesh, no eggs and no dairy products. Some will eat honey but not others 4. FRUITARIANS They eat only fruits, nuts and seeds.(This includes the fruit of vegetables such as tomatoes and courgettes. However they never eat the roots of plants such as carrots and potatoes) WARNING : A poorly managed Vegetarian diet can be harmful to health and can result in a shortage in Iron as well as Anaemia

The End Questions