Vegetarian food beneficial but balanced diet crucial

While most doctors agree vegetables, fruits and cereals are beneficial for health, some also argue that complete absence of non-vegetarian items, mainly fish and egg, may deprive vegetarians of certain essential diet components such as omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, that are not adequately available in vegetarian foods. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 are essential to strengthen muscles and brain nerves.

Several studies in India and abroad comparing vegetarians with non-vegetarians have found incidence of heart diseases, cancers and obesity are lower in those following a vegetarian diet.

According to Dr S C Manchanda, head of preventive cardiology, Ganga Ram hospital, the rate of heart diseases and cancer is around 20% less among those eating a completely vegetarian diet than those eating meat. "Vegetables and fruits contain fibre which lowers cholesterol and helps in weight management. This in turn is good for the heart," says Dr Manchanda.

However, there is also a contrarian view existing among the medical fraternity itself. Though there is no denial of the benefits of a vegetarian diet, there are serious concerns about the "distorted vegetarianism" dominating the Indian palate.

Dr Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis CDOC hospital for diabetes and allied specialties, points vegetarian diets are often high in carbohydrates, trans fat and are low in proteins, omega -3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. "Around 90% of Indians have vitamin B12 deficiency and traditionally weaker muscles," he adds.

While red meat and processed meat are considered particularly harmful for health, most doctors still advise measured portions of fish, egg and even chicken as part of a balanced diet.

"Diet prescriptions like drugs or medicines can never be generalized. Anything in excess can be harmful for the body - be it meat or oil or carbohydrate. The diet of an individual also depends on his body mass index, his blood and family history," says Dr Misra.

Source-The Times of India           Read more..

Peanuts may prevent childhood obesity

Children who eat a snack of peanuts regularly have a lower risk of being overweight or obese a new study has claimed.

Hispanic middle school children, at high risk for being overweight or obese, reduced their Body Mass Index (BMI) when they adhered to a nutrition intervention that included a snack of peanuts, compared to those children who did not. 

The 12-week study was conducted by researchers at the University of Houston Department of Health and Human Performance (HHP), Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Woman's University. Their findings are published in the Journal of Applied Research on Children. 

"Obesity is the most pressing health issue facing us today," said Craig Johnston, HHP assistant professor. "We'd like to think it's preventable, but from where I sit right now, there hasn't been a lot shown to be very effective on a large scale." 

The study acknowledged that snacking is more common during the adolescent years and that the unhealthy eating habit can lead to an unhealthy weight. This is especially true if a student doesn't have access to other meals during the school day. 

"We have a lot of kids skipping meals for a whole bunch of reasons," he said. "What we found is that kids get home from school around 4 p.m. There's less supervision by parents and less structure. Kids are sitting down at the TV and eating, eating, eating because they really didn't eat at school." 

Instructors guided 257 Latino adolescents from three Houston-area charter schools through a program of physical activity and nutrition education. About half the students received a snack of peanuts or peanut butter three to four times a week, while the rest received the snack fewer than once a week. The snack was administered after school as students were boarding the school bus to go home. Peanuts were chosen because nuts are nutrient-dense snacks that promote a feeling of being full. 

Following the 12-week intervention, students spent 12 more weeks maintaining the healthy snacking habit. At the end of the period, those students who received the snack more regularly experienced a decrease in their overall BMI (-.7kg/m2) compared to those who did not receive the regular peanut snack (-.3kg/m2). The researchers conclude that afterschool programs and schools can replace energy dense, unhealthy snacks with peanuts to provide a healthier alternative for children (researchers in the study ensured students did not suffer from nut allergies). 

Johnston says the fight against obesity needs creative solutions that help people manage their weight, appetite and hunger by offering socially acceptable food choices.

The findings were published in the journal of applied research on children.