This assignment aims to explore nutritional health concepts and their effects on an individual's
overall health and wellness. The topics I will delve into include healthy eating, the eat well
plate, the food pyramid, and a balanced diet. These subjects aid in comprehending the
repercussions of insufficient food processing on nutrient values and avoiding nutrient
destruction. To illustrate my points, I have chosen two individuals whose identities will remain
undisclosed. Over a few days, I will record their dietary intake, examine their meal choices'
impact on their well-being, and provide an analysis of my findings using these case studies
throughout this project.
Layla, a nine-year-old girl, has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes since she was four years
old. She has just reached the adolescence stage and during this stage, puberty hits and Layla
will most likely start her menstrual cycle soon. This can cause her to lose a lot of blood due to
her monthly period and therefore she will need a lot of vitamins and nutrients coming from
many different food sources to ensure that she doesn't become anaemic. She may also need
to take some supplements if she has an iron deficiency. During this stage, Layla may be quite
self-conscious since her body is changing and she is not used to these changes. Hormonal
changes can also cause her to go through phases where she's struggling to cope. Her mother
noticed the common symptoms of her diabetes while they were on vacation with her parents.
Concerned about Layla's health, they sought immediate medical attention and discovered that
Layla had high levels of glucose and ketones in her body, causing her extreme discomfort. To
manage her illness, Layla is required to engage in regular physical activity to regulate her
glucose levels. In case of low glucose levels, she must administer insulin injections to
increase them.
At 18 years old, Liam weighed 140 kg and was known as the largest student in his school. At
this point in his life, he was in the adolescence stage. Liam is now 32 in his middle adulthood
stage of life. As a teenager, he tried numerous diets but failed to lose significant weight. After
graduating high school, he realised that he needed help to achieve considerable weight loss.
Due to being a large kid during his time at school, Liam may have developed mental health
problems such as depression and anxiety. This could have left him to starve himself due to
how he doesn't like how he looked. With lifestyle changes he could have changed himself
and lost weight however he was finding this impossible to do as he would always eat large
portions of food so a drastic change was difficult for him. As a last resort, he decided to go
through a gastric bypass surgery. Fortunately, his family's private health insurance covered
gastric bypass surgery - a rare occurrence at the time. The results were astonishing: within six
months of the procedure, he lost 70 kg. He went on to attend university and eventually
graduated from nursing school.
Eating a balanced diet is important for good health and can prevent various issues, especially
in children. Unhealthy eating patterns developed in childhood can lead to problems later in
life such as obesity and metabolic conditions. The Eatwell Guide recommends consuming
fruits, vegetables, high-fibre starchy foods, dairy products or substitutes, and protein while
reducing saturated fats by choosing unsaturated oils/spreads. Drinking plenty of water is also
, recommended. Many people in the UK consume too many calories along with excessive
amounts of salt, sugar and saturated fat but too little fruit/vegetables/oily fish/fibre; however,
this should be avoided for optimal health. Children below two years have different nutritional
needs than adults while children between ages two to five years should slowly adapt to
eating similar foods as adults while following the Eatwell Guide's quantity suggestions.
Eating a balanced diet - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Eating fruits and vegetables is important for
getting the necessary nutrients and fibre. It
is recommended to have at least 5 servings
per day, which can be consumed in various
forms. This can lower the risk of heart
disease, stroke, and cancer. A serving size
can be measured by one piece of fruit or
three tablespoons of veggies. Dried fruit can
also count towards a serving. Substituting
snacks with fruits and adding salads to
meals can help meet the daily requirement.
Consuming vegetables during dinner and having fresh fruit with yoghurt for dessert can also
help reach the goal of 5 servings per day.
Your diet should consist of no more than one-third of starchy foods and they should form the
foundation of your meals. Choose whole grain or wholemeal options such as brown rice,
whole wheat pasta, and brown or wholemeal bread that contain more fibre, vitamins, and
minerals than their white counterparts. Potatoes with their skin are also rich in fibre and
vitamins so consume them with the skin on. Healthy bones can be promoted by consuming
dairy items like milk, cheese, and yoghurt as they are excellent sources of calcium and
protein. Choose low-fat and low-sugar options like skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, low-fat
hard cheeses or cottage cheese, low-fat yoghurt, and unsweetened soya drinks fortified with
calcium when you go grocery shopping.
Protein is a necessary nutrient for the body and can be found in various sources such as
meat, eggs, fish, beans, lentils, and nuts. Meat contains not only protein but also iron, zinc, B
vitamins, and vitamin B12. It's important to choose lean cuts of meat and avoid processed
meats. Fish is an excellent source of protein with added benefits of omega-3 fatty acids that
are good for heart health. It's recommended to eat at least two portions of fish every week.
Pulses like beans and lentils are low-fat sources of fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts
should be consumed in moderation due to their high-fat content despite being rich in fibre.
Although some amount of fat is necessary for our diet, people in the UK consume an
excessive amount of saturated fat. Reducing cholesterol levels can be achieved by consuming
a majority of unsaturated oils and spreads as the main source of fat. However, it's essential to
remember that all types of fats are high in calories and should be consumed moderately.
Excessive intake of saturated fats can result in an elevation in blood cholesterol levels, thus
amplifying the likelihood of developing heart disease. Additionally, frequently consuming
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