EAT HEALTHY, LIVE HEALTHY

  WHAT IS GLYCEMIC INDEX (GI)? The glycaemic index (GI) is a rating system for foods containing carbohydrates . It shows how quickly each food affects your blood sugar (glucose) level when that food is eaten on its own . Foods are classified as low, medium, or high glycemic foods and ranked on a scale of 0–100. The lower the GI of a specific food, the less it may affect your blood sugar levels. Here are the three GI ratings:             - Low : 55 or less            - Medium : 56 - 69            - High : 70 or above HIGH GI FOOD Carbohydrate foods that are broken down quickly by your body and cause a rapid increase in blood glucose have a high GI rating. Some high GI foods are  : LOW AND MEDIUM GI FOOD Low or medium GI foods are broken down more slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels over time . Some examples are : Some fruits and vegetables Pulses Wholegrain...

  Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It's a medical problem that increases the risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF OBESITY? Body mass index (BMI) is often used to diagnose obesity. Body mass index (BMI) is a person's weight in kilogram divided by the square of height in metres.  For most people,  BMI  provides a reasonable estimate of body fat . However,  BMI  does not directly measure body fat , so some people, such as muscular athletes, may have a  BMI  in the obesity category even though they do not have excess body fat. Many doctors also measure a person's waist circumference to help guide treatment decisions . Weight-related health problems are more common in men with a waist circumference over 40 inches (102 centimeters) and in women with a waist measurement ov...

  FUNCTIONAL FOOD Nutrient consumed as a part of a normal diet but delivering one or more active ingredients (that have physiological effects and may enhance health) within the food matrix. The functional food category and examples are shown as below : HOW ARE FOODS MADE TO BE "FUNCTIONAL"? 1) Taking out potentially harmful components. For example, cholesterol in egg yolk and lactose in milk. 2) Increasing the amount of nutrients and beneficial non-nutrients. For example, fiber-fortified liquid meals, calcium-, and vitamin C-fortified orange juice. 3) Using beneficial substances in food production or products. For example, using bacteria in fermented milk and soy products. DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS A product (other than tobacco) that is intended to supplement the diet , which contains one or more of the following dietary ingredients. A vitamin, a mineral, an herb or other botanical, an amino acid, a dietary substance to supplement the diet by increasing the total daily intake, or ...

  What are you need to know ? Irradiation does not make foods radioactive, compromise nutritional quality, or noticeably change the taste, texture, or appearance of food . In fact, any changes made by irradiation are so minimal that it is not easy to tell if a food has been irradiated. Food irradiation (the application of ionizing radiation to food) is a technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects. Why irradiate food ? Prevention of Foodborne Illness  : To effectively eliminate organisms that cause foodborne illness, such as  Salmonella  and  Escherichia coli  ( E. coli ). Preservation : To destroy or inactivate organisms that cause spoilage and decomposition and extend the shelf life of foods. Control of Insects : To destroy insects in or on tropical fruits imported into the United States. Irradiation also decreases the need for other pest-control practices that may harm ...

  FAD DIETS Fad diet is a diet plan that promise quick weight loss and targeted at people who desperately want to lose weight. Usually fad diets are unbalanced, unhealthy and are very likely to cause side-effects . HOW DO FAD DIETS WORK ? F ad diets cannot make up for healthy eating habits. Some fad diets make you lose water instead of body fat . Many fad diets cause the body to loose water through urination. At the same time you will also loose some important vitamins and minerals . Some fad diets are popular as they do work for a short time . For example, high-protein and high-fat diets induce metabolic ketosis and are initially attractive because they may induce quick weight loss. This initial weight loss however, may be attributed in part to the diuretic effect from low carbohydrate intake and its effects on sodium and water loss, glycogen depletion and ketosis. People who are on fad diets usually end up gaining back any weight that they have lost . HOW TO SPOT FAT DIETS ? W...

  How "Climate Change" will alter our Food ? Weather Extremes RM222,000 worth of crops, 20 paddy farmers affected in Yan floods   When temperatures rise, the warmer air holds more moisture and can make precipitation more intense. Extreme precipitation events, which are becoming more common, can directly damage crops, resulting in decreased yields. Flooding resulting from the growing intensity of tropical storms and sea level rise is also likely to increase with climate change, and can drown crops. Because floodwaters can transport sewage, manure or pollutants from roads, farms and lawns, more pathogens and toxins could find their way into our food. Hotter weather will lead to faster evaporation, resulting in more droughts and water shortage. As the consequences, there will be less water for irrigation just when it is needed most. Rising Temperatures This is photo of a paddy field in Pagoh, Johor taken in 2020 during a dry spell. 9000ha of paddy fields destroyed by drought bet...

   What is "World Hunger" ?     The United Nations’ (UN) Hunger report defines hunger as “ periods when populations are experiencing severe food insecurity .” World hunger is when people spend entire days with nothing to eat due to various reasons such as lack of money and lack of access to food and other resources. When a person consumes below 1,800 calories per day , it qualifies as food deprivation or undernourishment. What are the causes of "World Hunger" ? Climate change and natural disasters Conflict in several territories The socio-economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic Why is "World Hunger" is a problem? The effects of world hunger are as diverse as they are devastating. At its core, a diet characterized by an  insufficient intake of calories, proteins, vitamins and minerals impedes human development   at every level. For example, infants, children and adults. In turn, this negatively impacts the health, education, economic and social developm...