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Aim
for healthy nutrition Monosodium glutamate is used as a food additive and was, in fact,the first commercially used flavour enhancer. It can be described as the fifth basic taste, because its flavour is somewhat different to the other four known tastes: sweet, sour, bitter and salty. MSG is used to intensify the natural flavour of certain foods. It is naturally found in seaweed, tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. MSG may produce hypersensitive reactions and allergies in some, especially children, which may lead to rashes, headaches, respiratory disorders, such as wheezing, gastritis and depression. There seem to be strong links between the frequent and/or high intake of MSG enhanced foods and hyperactivity in children. I have not heard of evidence or research suggesting that it may promote the production of cancer cells. But bearing the aforementioned in mind, it would be advisable to reduce the intake of MSG containing foods. I am not certain whether MSG needs a special declaration on Sri Lankan food labels, and/or whether it may be just falling into the 'spices' or flavour enhancer general declaration. If that is the case, it may be difficult to identify products with MSG. It may even be possible that all processed foods contain MSG, since it would enhance the flavour and taste of the product. But many food-processing companies abroad declare if their product is MSG free or contains MSG. Q: I am 15 and thin compared to other girls of my age. I would like to get fatter. I try to eat a lot, but I can't. Is there any medicine to become fat? What should I do to gain weight? At your age you may be still growing and therefore you may look thin while growing taller. You can only comment on the thinness of your body once you have reached growth maturity. As much as you yearn to become fat others may want to be thin. As I have said in earlier answers to queries, don't compare your body with others, especially at your age where a lot of changes are taking place in your body. There is no medicine 'to become fat'. Don't try to be fat, but aim for good healthy nutrition. Have a healthy breakfast before school. Take a good-sized interval snack while at school, because students' lunch is usually very late. If your school has got a close to midday interval, you might consider taking a rice and curry lunch at that time. If time permits take another small snack and drink for late afternoon. Dinner can be followed by dessert. Early in the morning and before going to sleep a hot milk drink (chocolate or other preferred flavour) could be beneficial.
Q: Please recommend a suitable diet for me. I am 70 years
(female) and a vegetarian, weighing 60 kilos. One important aspect is, that as we get older we need fewer and fewer calories on a daily basis, since our metabolism slows down with age, due to slower cell renewal, metabolism and generally slightly less active life, due to various circumstances. It can be said that on average we need 200 calories less per day with every decade, we live after the age of 30. That means that if the average female needs 2400 calories in her twenties, she should consume about 2200 calories in her thirties, 2000 calories in her forties and so on. By the time a person is 80 plus, the energy requirement is very little, provided that the person is healthy and the digestive tract is functioning and digesting well. That's why a lot of people start putting on weight after the age of 30 or 40, for no-one seems to eat less, but rather more. However this weight gain maybe reversed in older age with health and bodily functions declining. Older people should eat smaller meals more often to avoid unnecessary stress on the digestive tract. Sleep may be disturbed if meals are taken late, shortly before going to bed. Since you are a vegetarian, you must pay attention to your protein and folate intake. Calcium intake also needs to be adequate. If you are a lacto-vegetarian, you can get high quality protein and calcium through milk and milk products. If you are a vegan, you should eat dhal, gram and other pulses, in combination with leafy vegetables, dark green leaves and root vegetables.Since you are a vegetarian you may consider a low dosage multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, including calcium.
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