Friday, 14 March 2014

Food and Health

Food is very important for existence but unfortunately it is hardly withinthe reach of common man. With the flood disaster in the country it is my prayer that God will intervene and prevent hunger “deaths “on our streets. Prevention of hunger and related deleterious health is of global concern. This is why the theme of this year’s World Food Day is. ‘Agricultural cooperatives – key to feeding the world’. The aim of this World Food Day is to raise awareness on global food problems and to create a sense of solidarity in the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The theme was chosen by United Nations to highlight the role of cooperatives -- or voluntary associations of people who work together for their common benefit -- in improving food security and contributing to the eradication of hunger. The United Nation’s latest hunger report, released in October 2012, warns that nearly 870 million people around the world or one in eight people on the planet, suffered from chronic undernourishment in 2010-12.The report also asserted that the vast majority of the hungry, 852 million, live in developing countries, while 16 million people are undernourished in developed countries. It is obvious all must come together to prevent hunger in the next few months in this country. When I heard the whole ‘Ibaji’ community in Kogi state submerged in the recent flood, we need to pray for Mr President and his team to deliver on all those promises. I had lived in that area before and Iknow Ibaji community produces yam and rice that can feed millions of people. Real cooperative societies need to rise to the challenge. While awaiting the intervention, letus use the medium to remind us of the different types of food available around us Recommended Diet Recommended diet in the community should be based on adequate intake of all nutrients in the right proportion to nourish the body and maintain optimum health. To start with, what is food? Food is anything that, when taken into the body, serves to nourish, build, and repair tissues, supply energy or regulate body processes. Aside from its nutritional function, food is valued for its palatability andsatiety effect as well as for varied meanings attached to it (emotional, social, religions, cultural, etc) by different individuals, groups or races. What are nutrients? Foods consist of different components of variable nutritional value called nutrients. These are; Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and Oil, Minerals, Vitamins and Water. Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fat and Oil are referred to as Macro nutrients because they are needed in large quantity while Vitamins and Minerals are referred to as Micro nutrients (needed in small quantity). Carbohydrates The main function of carbohydrates is to supply energy to carry out body function. About 55 to 65% of total energy must come from complex carbohydrates. Examples are: Cassava, yam, cocoyam, corn, millet, Guinea corn, potatoes, Chinese yam (Esuru), Plantain, Rice, Wheat etc. Proteins: They are obtained from both animal and plant products e.g. Meat and meat products, Dairy and dairy products, Poultry and poultry products, Games, Fish and fish products, Snail, Catapillar, Termites (Animals) etc. Plant sources are: Beans , Soya, Groundnut, Locust bean, Sorrel, Mushroom, Pumpkin, Melon, Bambara nuts, Cashew nuts etc. Protein is essential for growth about 15-20% is neededby the body. Appropriate mixing of cereals (e.g. Rice) and legumes (e.g. beans) or pap from corn with soya bean form a good combination nutritionally. This is referred to as Texture Vegetable Protein (TVP). Fats and oil They are to supply energy, provide the building blocks to cell membrane and help key systems in the body function properly. It helps in absorption of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K. Examples are: Palm oil, Soy oil, Cotton seed oil, Olive oil, Groundnut oil, Shea butter, Butter, Margarine etc. Minerals: The body contains approximately 4% minerals, which, in common with all other components, must be supplied by the diet. They do not provide energy in themselves but, because they form part of the tissues and skeleton, they are essential for growth e.g. calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, sodium, Iron, Iodine, Potassium, chlorine, Zinc etc Vitamins are organic substances that are present in food in minute quantities but are essential for normal health and growth, cause a specific deficiency disease when not adequately supplied by the diet or improperlyabsorbed from food. Example Fat soluble vitamins – A, D, E, K and Water soluble vitamins – vitamin C and vitamin B complexes.Fruits and Vegetables are rich sources orange, Banana, Apple, Water melon, Pawpaw, Guava, Grape, and Cherry etc. Water: It is universal solvent and essential to life. Thebody can go without food for several days but it cannot do without water. It is the most important component of human body. It represents, on average 66% of bodyweight in adult and almost 75% in new-born.

No comments:

Post a Comment