By Morohunmubo Johnson
Food intake plays a Paramount role in human life, hence! The intake should be moderate.
There are some foods and drinks that needs to be approached with caution due to their nutritional contents,or deficiency.
They have been associated with metabolic and physiology disorders, therefore one should be careful with such foods.
They are:
1. MEAT: it’s true that meat is a good rich source of nutrients, but it’s consumption especially in excess poses some health risks (e.g cardiovascular disease, cancer formation ,etc.) the blood cholesterol more prone to oxidation and blood vessels damage.
* Frying the meat with oil normally worsen the situation. This is because the oil become saturated in the process and adds to the saturated fat content of the meat.
* it is advisable to serve meat with vegetables and/or fruits .
Through this the body is supplied with necessary antioxidants which will help reduce the damaging effects of the meat.
Therefore,meat consumption should be approached with moderation, as they are high in saturated fats, salts, and cholesterol, one may not avoid meat totally, but take it sparingly.
Hence! Move towards taking fishes and less meat. Fishes are less in contents and they are unsaturated fats which the body needs.
Often exercise is very important for the person that consumes much meat, this helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels and keeps the body in good state.
2. FRUITS: Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits are great choices. Try fruits beyond apples and bananas such as mango, pineapple or kiwi fruit. When fresh fruit is not in season, try a frozen, canned, or dried variety. Be aware that dried and canned fruit may contain added sugars or syrups. Choose canned varieties of fruit packed in water or in its own juice.
3. VEGETABLES: Add variety to grilled or steamed vegetables with an herb such as rosemary. You can also sauté (panfry) vegetables in a non-stick pan with a small amount of cooking spray. Or try frozen or canned vegetables for a quick side dish—just microwave and serve. Look for canned vegetables without added salt, butter, or cream sauces. For variety, try a new vegetable each week.
4. CALCIUM-RICH FOODS: In addition to fat-free and low-fat milk, consider low-fat and fat-free yogurts without added sugars. These come in a variety of flavors and can be a great dessert substitute.
5. ALCOHOL: Alcohol consumption has attracted diverse opinion among the general public
* Alcohol and alcoholic beverages reduce the livers ability to function. In fact, alcohol consumption is associated with higher risk of liver cirrhosis ( irreversible liver damage).
*They increase sexual desires, but diminish the capacity to perform.
*Women, who drinks alcohol beverages, even in small amounts, are at risk of breast cancer and other disorders.
*Alcohol consumption by pregnant women causes what is called fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) a condition characterized by premature births, low birth weight, immature placentas, and general mental retardations in the newborns.
It is advisable to drink moderately (may be 3-4 glasses a week)
And if you don’t drink, better do not start drink .The risks involved in alcohol intake are far greater than the benefits most especially to we women
Remember that red wine is better than white wine, but it is best to drink fresh unfermented grape fruit juice for cardiovascular health.
