Chapter 9 forum
Most of us eat even when we are not hungry. What can you do to make it less likely that you will eat when you are not hungry? How would you go about educating others to learn to eat in rhythm with their stomachs?
It is very easy to eat when one is hungry and it becomes a great concern when one eats and they are not hungry. Eating feels and tastes good especially when the food looks delicious. Eating healthy, choosing what, when to eat is a good habit to start with. Discipline can really make a difference and progress in eating behavior. When it comes to drinking, choose healthy drinks like water, most people like sodas, and one soda per day increases chances of being overweight or obesity nearly 33%, and diet soda is no better. It is advisable to drink a lot of water which actually makes one feels full and it is healthy.
In addition to the above, it is important to discipline yourself to skip meals. I come from Africa where most parts of our country suffer from famine. It’s possible therefore to overeat when there is an opportunity but I have disciplined myself not to eat when I actually don’t need. When you go to a friend’s house and you had not planned to eat a meal there, don’t just sit and start eating. When you go to a party keep yourself busy with friends and skip a meal.
Another habit to avoid when you are in the house is snacking. It’s important to try and occupy yourself with dishes or laundry, that way you’ll be less likely to mind having a snack. Multi-tasking while in the house with light household tasks will further help your calories burn and keeps your mind further away from snacking. More food, more calories, and more body fat. Keep your portions in check by choosing smaller serving dishes. If need *be, you can always go back for seconds.
Chapter 6 forum
Describe the functions of proteins in our bodies? How can you ensure that you consume enough essential amino acids in the proper amounts? For someone who chooses not to eat meat or anything from meat sources, how would he or she ensure that he or she was consuming enough of the essential amino acids in the proper amounts?
Protein is one of the macronutrient used by the body for building, repairing, and maintaining tissue. Proteins are made of amino acids, building blocks of protein which are constantly broken down and replaced. Other proteins have metabolic function, helping to produce the energy needed to perform day-to-day functions. Lack of protein can lead to loss of muscle, fatigue and weakened immune system.
Specific amount of protein one needs to eat per day depends on your weight and activity level. An average person who weighs like 150 pounds would require 60 grams of protein daily. If you are an athlete or have an active lifestyle, you might require more proteins up to 1.8 grams per pound. If you are a vegetarian, there are excellent sources of amino acids such as grains, nuts and seeds, soy, eggs, dairy, beans and legumes. The recommended daily intake of men is 56 grams of total protein, while women need 46 grams.
Keeping a daily log of type of foods you eat ant their protein content for at least one week. Nutrition facts label provides the grams of proteins in one serving, with the portion defined on the label. Adjusting the amount we eat comparing with the defined amount. If you ate the recommended protein intake from complete proteins, you consumed all the essential amino acids.
Chapter 4 forum
Describe the role of hormones in the regulation of blood glucose levels. How does the functioning of these hormones relate to the development of type 1 diabetes? to the development of type 2 diabetes? In what ways is type 2 diabetes a self-inflicted disease, as some conclude? Do you agree with this statement? What steps can a person take to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
Blood glucose levels need to me maintained at a narrow level at all times, for the body to function effectively. There are two hormones responsible for maintenance of blood glucose levels i.e.
1. Insulin
2. Glucagon.
These two hormones are secreted by the islet cells in the pancreas and are thus called pancreatic endocrine hormones.
Insulin is secreted by the beta cells(a type of islet cell).When the level of blood glucose is high, the pancreas secretes insulin which has an effect on a number of cells, including muscle, red blood cells and fat cells.in response to insulin, these cells absorb glucose out of the blood, thereby lowering high blood glucose levels. On the other hand, when the blood glucose level is low, glucagon is secreted by the alpha cells of the pancreatic islets. The effect of glucagon is to make the liver release the glucose stored in its cells into the bloodstream.
When autoimmune destruction of insulin-secreting beta cells in the pancreas occurs, the subsequent lack of insulin leads to increase of blood glucose. The immediate end result to this is type 1 diabetes. When cells in the body become resistant to insulin and fail to respond to it effectively, there is occurrence of high blood sugar i.e. hyperglycemia leading to type 2 diabetes. It is highly concluded that type 2 diabetes is a self-inflicted disorder, because it can be highly prevented by lifestyle modification. I agree with the latter because a person can decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by;
a) Make correct food choices, i.e. reducing the intake of sugar and Tran’s fats and take a diet that is high in fiber and polyunsaturated fats.
b) Increase levels of activity and exercise. Increased levels of activity and exercise in turn increase the formation of mitochondria within muscle tissue. Mitochondria produce energy for the body and become more efficient at taking up and using sugar when the body is exercised.
c) Avoiding smoking and alcohol. Smoking increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as does excessive alcohol consumption.