6300145 Factors Affecting Nutritional Intake.edited
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Nov 24, 2024
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What is Nutrition, and Why is it Important?
Nutrition is getting enough nourishment for health and growth. This includes consuming
adequate carbohydrates, minerals, proteins, and fats. It is necessary because it directly affects an
individual's well-being in the following ways: it maintains healthy biological processes, prevents
chronic diseases, supports healthy child growth and development, helps with the maintenance of
energy levels, and assists with the management of weight (Key et al., 2020). Every one of them
needs a healthy diet loaded with various nutrients. Suppose you need to get more of certain
nutrients. In that case, your body is more prone to experience nutrient deficiencies, dysfunction
of the immune system, and diet-related disorders such as diabetes and heart disease. As a result,
maintaining life and reaching ideal health depend heavily on Nutrition.
Characteristics of a Healthy Diet and Examples
Several vital elements characterize a healthy diet. It is essential to make it balanced by having a
variety of foods from all dietary groups, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins,
dairy products, and dairy replacements. Secondly, moderation is crucial since managing portions
prevents overindulging and maintains a healthy weight. Less-calorie foods like lean meats and
leafy greens have a high nutrient density, which draws attention to them (Key et al., 2020). A
nutritious diet provides proteins, vitamins, and minerals the body needs to function. Finally,
diversification helps absorb a range of nutrients. For instance, quinoa, a complete grain, grilled
salmon, a lean protein, and a side of steamed broccoli, a vegetable, could make up a nutritious
and well-balanced lunch.
Factors Impacting Food Choices (Other than Culture)
A wide range of other factors significantly impacts eating habits in addition to the cultural
influence that is already well-established. One of these aspects is the country's socioeconomic
climate. It is not uncommon for a person's financial situation to considerably impact the foods
they choose to put in their body. People who make less money may have more difficulty buying
diets high in nutrients (Chen & Antonelli, 2020). As a result, these individuals frequently choose
less expensive options that are lower in nutritional density and include fewer nutrients overall.
This can lead to a diet high in processed foods but low in fresh produce, further contributing to
existing health disparities in the population. Cues from the surrounding environment can exert a
significant degree of influence. Customers may choose less-healthy meals due to the increasing
availability and convenience of high-calorie, unhealthy goods offered in fast food restaurants,
convenience stores, and vending machines. These establishments are known for selling unhealthy
food options. Environmental factors such as these may contribute, at least in part, to the
prevalence of unhealthy eating behaviors in some communities and to the health repercussions of
such behaviors.
Describe the Restrictions:
Hindu dietary regulations encompass various practices strongly associated with cultural and
religious traditions. The method of vegetarianism, which many Hindus are required to uphold, is
the most widely known limitation. The guiding principle behind this decision is ahimsa, which
translates to "non-violence." This philosophy forbids causing pain or death to any living being,
including animals (Pandey et al., 2021). Because of this, Hindus do not partake in the
consumption of meat, fish, or poultry. In addition, the strict prohibition on beef consumption is
due to the religious significance of cows in Hinduism, which views them as sacred animals.
Consequently, as they consider eating beef highly offensive to animals, most Hindus strictly
prohibit it. Hindus also frequently fast; this religious practice varies in intensity and duration and
entails skipping certain meals or products on certain days or giving up all food and beverages for
predetermined periods. It is imperative to acknowledge that variations in regional Hindu dietary
restrictions can be ascribed to specific customs, familial traditions, and individual beliefs,
culminating in a spectrum of dietary practices among the Hindu populace.
Explain How the Restrictions Could Make it Difficult for an Individual to Achieve a Healthy
Diet:
Hindu dietary guidelines may encourage a diet heavy in plant-based foods and low in some
animal products; however, eating a balanced diet may be challenging due to these restrictions.
Diets focused chiefly on animal products may leave one deficient in specific nutrients,
particularly vitamins and minerals like iron and B12. Exhaustion, anemia, and immune system
weakness might arise from low mineral intake. If their diet lacks a diversity of plant-based
proteins, some vegetarians may struggle to receive enough protein, an essential macronutrient. If
fasting causes occasional side effects, it may be hard to maintain regular eating habits. The
adverse effects include reduced calorie intake, unstable blood sugar, and dehydration. In
addition, cultural and societal pressure to follow nutritional advice sometimes leads to overeating
sweet and fried foods during religious holidays (Pandey et al., 2021). This is unfortunate because
these guidelines enhance diets. This may harm one's health if done without moderation.
Dietary Alternatives to Overcome the Dietary Restrictions:
People can use various solutions to meet these dietary requirements and follow Hindu diet
limitations. First, they can maintain a healthy vegetarian diet by eating beans, tofu, tempeh, and
dairy. This aids with diet balance. This method provides amino acids and prevents food
shortages. Second, vitamin B12 pills, which may be hard to get from diet, can help meet
nutritional needs. Increase vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant intake by eating more fruits,
veggies, whole grains, and nuts. This maximizes diet nutrients. Drinking enough water and
breaking the fast with nutritious, well-balanced meals can reduce the health risks of fasting
(Chen & Antonelli, 2020). One of the best ways to respect ethnic and religious values and
improve health during religious festivities is to practice mindful eating. These behaviors include
eating less junk food, cooking better, and limiting sweets and fried foods.
References
Chen, P. J., & Antonelli, M. (2020). Conceptual models of food choice: influential factors related
to foods, individual differences, and society. Foods, 9(12), 1898.
Key, T. J., Bradbury, K. E., Perez-Cornago, A., Sinha, R., Tsilidis, K. K., & Tsugane, S. (2020).
Diet, Nutrition, and cancer risk: what do we know and what is the way forward? Bmj, 368.
Pandey, V., Chakravarty, A., Tripathi, Y. B., & Gupta, K. K. (2021). Effect of intake of
hypocaloric diet and low-fat dairy food on biomarkers of weight gain among working women in
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India. Advances in Human Biology, 11(1), 63–72.
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