Do you love fast food? All of us know that consuming too much fatty foods can put you at risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and hypertension. Yet many people continue to indulge in food with relatively high saturated fat, with eight in every 10 exceeding the recommended limit.
This is a worrying trend; The young with more financial independance and a lack of parental guidance, continue to show a fondness for fast food.Citing this finding from 2004 National Nutrition Survey (NNS), Dr Stanley Liew, a specialist in endocrinology with Raffles Hospital, says: “The Student Health Survey in 2004 showed that the intake of deep-fried foods among secondary students approximated that of the adult Singaporean population with 52 percent in both groups having two helpings of fast food per week.
He adds that it is generally recommended that one should eat less fried food, not exceeding twice a week. On this the Health Promotion Board (HPB) says: “Fast food is often high in energy and contains high amounts of fat and salt. It is also often low in fibre, vitamins and minerals.
However, fast food can be part of one’s diet provided it is eaten in small portions occasionally.Health Promotion Board suggestion is avoid or add less condiments such as butter, margarine, salt and salad dressings. Choose salad or fruit instead of meals that come with french fries and soft drinks. Remember to choose “small” instead of “large” or/and “upsize” food items which are high in fat, salt and sugar.
Dr. Liew says that over-eating is mostly to be the main culprit for the rise in obesity in the developed world. Poor diet and obesity can also contribute to the development of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Accounting to the above, hypertension also, are the top lifestyle diseases in Singapore.
Associated with heart attack and stroke, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol are “silent” ailments because those who are affected do not feel well. Therefore it is important for people to undergo health screening and understand their health condition.
Even though there is positive changes in dietary practices among the adult population, aged between 18-69, compared to 1998, there is still room for further improvement.”These included a significant increase in the proportion of Singaporeans who were meeting the recommended intakes for fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods. The intake of saturated fats can be further reduced.
Singaporeans are consuming more energy, contributed by increased consumption of most food groups and foods prepared with fat or oil, for example are stir-fried foods and those with coconut milk.
Health Promotion Board observes that although the average Singaporean’s fat intake was within the recommended limit, now, there was an increase in the number who exceeded this limit that is 42.7 percent in year 2004 survey as compared with 24.9 percent in year 1998.
Singapore Health Promotion Board adopts a holistic approach in encouraging and facilitating a healthy national diet. It proactively engages food suppliers, food vendors and retailers to ensure availability of healthier food choices and promotes public education to empower Singaporeans with information about the importance of healthy eating. Dr. Liew also wants the schools and parents to drive home this health message, “Schools can help guide the choice of food in their canteens but parental and peer influences are important to this age group,”he adds.
The advice for good health is well known: Have a consistently healthy diet and exercise regularly.
To maintain your health and make sure your body’s functions are performing well, our herbal concentrated foods and herbal beverages, herbal supplements manufactured based on the blueprint “Philosophy of Regeneration” are the best. You are welcome to visit Family Wellness your supermart shop at East Coast Road, #01-03 Ocean Park Oranda Block. There is a wide range of products for your nutrition, drinks, personal care, skincare, household, SPA and colour cosmetics.
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