Химия и химические технологии/6.Органическая химия.

Sosnina S.A.

Pavlenko I.V.

Vlasova I.A.

Donetsk National University of Economics and Trade

Named after Mikhailo Tugan-Baranovsky

EAT TO MEET YOUR NEEDS

Where a good and varied supply of food is available and affordable, everyone should be able to select and eat the foods that meet their nutritional needs. Selecting a proper diet requires knowledge about changing nutrition needs throughout the life-cycle and how these needs can best be met from locally available foods. Encouraging family members to enjoy and choose a wide variety of foods can help them meet their needs. Choosing wisely is especially important when incomes are low and food supplies are insecure. Nutritional needs are influenced by age, sex, health status and activity levels, and the following groups often need special care.

Women need to eat enough before, during and after pregnancy to deal with the extra strain that pregnancy puts on the body. Babies - both before and after they are born also need to be well nourished. When a woman is pregnant or breastfeeding, she must meet the baby's nutritional needs as well as her own. If the mother's diet does not satisfy the needs of her baby, the baby will draw on, and reduce, the mother's own stores of nutrients. This puts the mother at increased risk of illness and can affect the baby's development. These needs can generally be met by eating a wide variety of foods including plenty of fresh fruits and orange colored and dark green leafy vegetables. Fruit and vegetables are also a good source of fiber; this helps prevent constipation which is common during pregnancy. Pregnant women should be encouraged to have regular medical checks to ensure that they are keeping themselves and the developing baby well nourished. If the mother is not getting enough of a particular nutrient relevant dietary advice should be given. In some cases vitamin and mineral supplements might also be recommended, but these should be taken only as advised by a doctor. During pregnancy the requirement for iron is particularly high and supplements are often needed. Folic acid is another common supplement, as is iodine in certain areas. Breastfeeding mothers need a varied, nutritious diet too. They should have adequate supplies of energy and protein. Lots of fluids, such as fruit juices and soups are also important.

Foods for babies require special preparation to make sure that they are soft, clean and easy to digest. To meet all of the baby's nutritional needs it will be necessary to add foods high in energy and other nutrients (oil, fruit, vegetables, legumes and animal products) to the family's staple food. Once the baby is accustomed to liquid and soft foods, and as the teeth appear, semi-solid and then solid foods can gradually be introduced to the diet. Preparing safe and nutritious supplementary foods can take a lot of time and effort. Many mothers and fathers, especially young and first time parents, need practical advice and assistance to help them provide their babies with the foods they need. Young children are often the most at risk of being malnourished. They have very high energy and nutrient needs for their body size in comparison to adults. Proper care and feeding is essential for their normal growth, development and activity. Children can eat many of the same foods as their parents. They should be encouraged to eat enough of a variety of energy and protein-rich foods and fruit and vegetables for growth and body maintenance. Children cannot eat the same amount of food in one meal as adults. They also expend a lot of energy throughout the day. They should sustain energy requirements by eating small meals and snacks spread over the day. Children need to maintain their diet of energy-rich and body-building foods throughout their growing years until they reach adulthood. They should be encouraged to exercise and stay active so that the high energy intake does not result in obesity. Sick children must be encouraged to eat and drink, even if they have little appetite. They should be offered softer textured foods and the foods they like best. Lots of fluids milk, fruit juice, soups and clean water - are especially important when a child has diarrhea. Children recovering from fevers and sickness should also be given plenty of energy and nutrient-rich foods to eat. Eating habits are established early on, so it's important to teach children at an early age how to get the best from food. Adolescents grow rapidly and so have very high energy and nutrient needs. They need adequate intakes of vitamins and minerals, especially iron, calcium, vitamins A, C and D. In addition, adequate amounts of energy and protein are needed to sustain growth and development. Special attention should be given to adolescent girls who need to be well nourished both for their immediate development and the future stresses of childbearing. Anemia and calcium deficiency are common problems. Foods rich in calcium and iron should be encouraged. Adolescent girls who become pregnant are at particular risk and must have additional nutrients for their baby's growth as well as for their own.

There is no set age at which a person is elderly. The ageing process is significantly influenced by culture, individual activity levels and general health status. As people begin to feel the effects of old age, illness and loss of taste and thirst sensation can reduce appetite; loss of teeth can make chewing difficult; a variety of stomach and intestinal disorders can lead to digestive problems; disabilities and infirmities, coupled with poverty, loneliness and depression can make acquiring and preparing food difficult. All older people should therefore pay attention to their nutritional needs; many will need special help to do this. Even though most people need less energy as they get older, the elderly need adequate protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. Women should have an adequate calcium intake throughout life to reduce bone loss. Foods for the elderly should include a wide variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, meats and dairy products. Consumption of high energy foods may be particularly important if appetite fails and overall food intake is limited. Maintaining adequate fluid intake is also important. For those who find it harder to eat and digest foods, special preparation might be needed to make these foods more appealing and easier to digest.

Food is the body's fuel. It therefore follows that the more active people are the more fuel they need, whereas less active people will need less fuel. For most people their work-related activities determine energy expenditure. Those who eat more food energy than they use will put on weight. Those who eat less than they use up in energy will lose weight. When dietary energy intake balances with energy requirements, body weight remains fairly constant.