Analysis-Day 3

I have decided to use the two health tools to analyse and evaluate some of the food that I have eaten on Day 3( Thursday). These two health tools are the " Energy & Nutrient Compositions of Food" and " Food Intake Assessment". For energy & nutrient compositions of food, I have decided to use Mee Siam as the food item to analyse. While the food intake assessment evaluate the food eaten in the whole day, calculating the carbohydrate, protein, calcium, iron and others taken in by the body.

Energy & Nutrient Compostions of Foods:

1. Mee siam, without gravy
Alternate Name : N/A
Description : Rice vermicilli,cooked,mixed with spices to give reddish colour,garnished with fried bean curd,bean sprout
Edible Portion : 100%
Per Serving : 368 g

The analysis (per serving) follows:

Energy (kcal) 563
Protein (g) 15
Total fat (g) 20
Saturated fat (g) 8.2
Dietary fibre (g) 11.8
Carbohydrate (g) 82
Cholesterol (mg) 96
Sodium (mg) 1,008
Calcium (mg) 99
Iron (mg) 2.58

Personal Analysis:

Mee Siam has alot of energy/ carbohydrates in it and its total fat amount is generally on the high side when compared to Ban Mian Noodles. The sodium intake level is 1,008 mg which is a large amount. Sodium must be well controlled in our daily diet to maintain a healthy eating habit. Therefore, mee siam should have more vegetables to become a balanced dish and eventually a much more healthy dish than before.


Food Intake Assessment

Based on the information you have provided, your daily energy requirement is estimated to be 1,943 kcal. This energy requirement is the level of calorie intake from food that will balance the calories your body burns, thus maintaining your weight. For weight loss, you should consume fewer calories and be more active. If you need to gain weight, consume more calories than your body requires.

Period of Analysis: 10/02/2011 - 10/02/2011
Energy (kcal) Carbohydrate (g) Protein (g) Total Fat (g) Saturated Fat (g) Cholesterol (mg) Calcium (mg) Dietary Fibre (g) Sodium (mg)

Average intake per day 2,257 242.7 152.7 77.9 30.6 644.9 567.0 16.9 3,211.3

Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) 1,943 291.5 61.1 64.8 21.6 194.3 1,000.0 19.4 1,296.2
Percentage of recommendation met 116 83 250 120 142 332 57 87 248


View graph of actual nutritional intake compared against RDA:

Energy 116%

Carbohydrate 83%

Protein 250%

Total Fat 120%

Saturated Fat 142%

Cholesterol 332%

Calcium 57%

Dietary Fibre 87%

Sodium 248%



Table showing the % of total calories of diet versus recommendation
% of total energy intake:

Your diet / Recommendation
Total Carbohydrates 43% 55 - 65%
Total Protein 27% 10 - 15%
Total Fat 31% 25 - 30%

Nutrition messages based on results:

Energy
Your intake of energy from your diet was more than you need. Frequently eating above your energy needs can contribute to excess calories, which will be stored as body fat if it is not being used for physical activities. Excessive body fat leads to blood pressure, stroke diabetes and even certain cancers.

Energy in the foods we eat comes from three categories of nutrients - carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Fat is the most concentrated source of energy. Gram for gram, fat (9 kcal/g) has more than twice the energy of carbohydrate (4 kcal/g) or protein (4 kcal/g). Hence, foods high in fat are generally high in calories. Alcohol also supplies more calories (7 kcal/g) than carbohydrate or protein.

Know your daily energy allowance, and balance the energy from the food you eat with the energy your body uses for physical activities.

Total Fat
Your total fat intake was more than the recommended amount. A diet high in fat is associated with overweight, high blood cholesterol, heart disease and other related health problems.

To reduce total fat in your diet, use less oil or fats when cooking and use fat spreads sparingly. Use lean cuts of meat and poultry, and remove visible fat and skin. When eating out, ask for less fat or oil in your food. As extras add up, make your food choices wisely. Choose reduced fat or skimmed milk and dairy products instead of full cream varieties. Choose plain rice over flavoured rice, and cut down on the use of sweetened condensed milk or creamers.

Saturated Fat
Your intake of saturated fat was higher that the recommended amount. An excess of saturated fat can raise your blood cholesterol, subsequently increasing your risk of heart disease.

The main sources of fat in our diet are also the sources of saturated fat! These include coconut-milk based foods, blended oil (usually used in commercial cooking), flavoured rice (e.g. chicken rice, nasi lemak, nasi briyani) and creamer/whitener/condensed and evaporated milk in beverages. Cutting down or limiting such sources of fat will also help to reduce saturated fat intake.

Sodium
Your sodium intake was greater than the recommended amounts. Sodium acts like a sponge, holding water in our body. Excess sodium increases the blood volume, which then raises the pressure in our blood vessels. Hypertension or high blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

The main source of sodium in our diet comes from salt (sodium chloride) and sauces added during cooking or at the table. To cut down on sodium intake, gradually reduce the use of salt and sauces when preparing or cooking food so that your taste buds have the chance to adjust. Try flavouring foods with natural seasonings like lemon juice or herbs and spices. Choose fresh food over processed foods over processed foods and enjoy the natural taste of foods. When eating out, ask for less sauces or gravy in dishes.

Cholesterol
Your intake of cholesterol was more than the recommended amount. Excessive cholesterol intake, especially as part of a high fat diet, can increase blood cholesterol level and put you at risk of heart diseases.

To cut down the intake of cholesterol, replace meat with beans, peas, lentils or bean products 3 times a week. For healthy adults and adolescents, limit eggs to 4 per week. In recipes, try to replace part of the use of whole eggs with just the egg white. Shellfish, prawns, shrimps, crabs, cuttlefish etc as well as organ meats should be eaten no more than twice a week and in small portions.

Calcium
You were not getting enough calcium in your diet. Without adequate calcium, you may be at risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition where your bones become weak and brittle. If left untreated, osteoporosis can worsen until a fracture (crack or break in the bone) occurs.

Increase your calcium intake from a variety of sources. Consume calcium-enriched breads and biscuits, green leafy vegetables, calcium-fortified juices, high-calcium soya bean milk, ikan bilis, sardines (with bones), tofu, as well as milk and other dairy products. Vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium. Your body can make this vitamin after sunlight hits your skin. You can easily obtain enough by getting at least 30-60 minutes of sunlight a day.


Aside from eating wisely, remember to make exercise a part of your life. Exercise helps to burn fat, tone your muscles, improve your stamina, relax and sleep better, as well as keep you alert and study better! Exercise at least 20 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, until you sweat and breathe deeply without getting breathless. Choose an exercise that you enjoy, and try a variety so that you don’t get bored. Keep your exercise routine simple, fun and interesting.

Personal Analysis:

I personally made observations from the information obtained from the food intake assessment. I have realised that my carbohydrate, protein and fats amount are above the recommended percentage. I may have to watch my diet to be able to reduce chances of falling ill and also in being consistent in a lifestyle that hopes to promote healthy diets and feeding issues. My diet varies alot from each other such that on days the level of carbohydrates, protein and calcium are relatively low. An unhealthy and unstable eating habit may be derived from these differences.