WEEK 2: HEALTHY FEEDING AND EATING PRACTICES

TOPIC: HEALTHY FEEDING AND EATING PRACTICES

                                           FOOD

Food refers to solid or liquid material which, when eaten and digested, nourished the body. Food is one of the basic necessities of life. The food we eat provides our energy for work, body maintenance and repair of worn-out tissues and cells.

FUNCTIONS OF FOOD

1. It provides the body with heat and energy.
2. It helps in the growth and repair of body tissues.
3. It protects the body from diseases.
4. Roughage in food helps bowel movement and prevents constipation.
5. Food is necessary for good health and vitality.

CLASSES OF FOOD

We have six classes of food;

1. Carbohydrate Eg. Rice, yam, garri etc.
2. Protein E.g Beans, milk, meat etc.
3. Fats and oil E.g nut, coconut.
4. Vitamins E.g fruits, vegetables.
5. Minerals E.g onions, plantain, some fruit.
6. Water E.g Tap, rivers, lake etc.

FOOD GROUPS

Food can be grouped according to the nutrients, they contain and the function they perform in the body. Therefore we have the following food group.

1. Body Building foods: These are protein. They include meat, fish, egg, milk, beans.
2. Energy foods: These are carbohydrate and fats. Protein can also supply energy but not as much as carbohydrates and fats. Examples of energy foods are starchy food of energy food like yam, potatoes, cassava, bread, rice, palm oil, groundnut oil etc.
3. Protective foods: These protect the body from diseases. They are vitamins and minerals. Sources include vegetables and fruits.
4. Roughage: This is an important food item. It is indigestible part of foods such as cellulose. It has the following uses:

1. it increases the bulk of food
2. it helps digestion and bowel movement
3. it therefore helps to prevent constipation. Source, include some fruits like orange, pawpaw, mango, cucumber, garden egg etc and vegetables.

MEANING OF FEEDING HABITS

Feeding or eating habits are your everyday patterns of eating. It involves the tendency to reach out for the same foods whenever you are hungry. Some feeding habits are developed when you are very young. Other habits are also influenced by friends, neighbours and lifestyle.

It is very important to understand your eating habits as a first step in managing them.

HEALTH FEEDING HABITS

Healthy feeding habits refers to the tendency or habit or practice of choose adequate and proper nutritious food in a conscious way.

Healthy feeding practices are

1. Eating adequate diet: Your food should contain all the nutrients in adequate amounts for growth, maintenance and nourishment of the body.
2. Using foods in season; exploit the seasonality of foods and eat as much as is good when the particular food is in season e.g fruits like mango, cashew, vegetable e.t.c.
3. Reducing the amount of sugar, sweetened drinks and salt in your diet.
4. Going for more health snacks  such as fruits and vegetable than for fizzy drinks and confectionaries.
5. Choosing diet that is low in cholesterol and saturated fat.
6. Choosing diet that have plenty of whole grain or cereals, vegetables and fruits.
7. Eating a variety of food selected from all the food groups.
8. Taking adequate amount of water daily. Never use fizzy drink as a substitute for water or food.

EVALUATION

1. What is food?

2. How can food be grouped?

3. Name examples of  food groups and their sources.

4. Define healthy feeding habits?