The Nation Newspaper

Tag: dietician

  • Dietician hails sugar-free coffee

    A dietician with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Ms. Layo Omodudu, has hailed a sugar-free coffee, Tropicana Slim Sugar Free 3-in-1 Coffee.

    Omodudu, who spoke yesterday at the launch of the product in Lagos, said it is unique because it only contains a sweetener, Stevia, which is an herbal ingredient.

    She said:  “The product is a welcome development. It is a great source of anti-oxidant. It prevents and repairs damages in the body. The coffee detoxifies the body. It is nutritious. ”

    The Managing Director (MD)/Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Andersons Pharmaceuticals Ltd., the marketer of the product, Chief Bright Edom, said Tropicana Slim Sugar Free 3-in-1 Coffee has come to revolutionise the way coffee is consumed, by not only making it more appealing in taste and aroma, but also offering more healthy choice.

    He said: “It offers you a sweet sensation of smooth twirl of creamy froth coffee mix around your lips without worry of sugar intake. The product comes in three exciting variants, namely Cappuccino, Mocha Frappez and Caffe Latte.

    “Tropicana Slim Sugar Free 3-in-1 Coffee has a superb taste that will boost people’s mood. Since it is sugar free, there is no worry about putting on weight or experiencing blood sugar level increase if one is diabetic. It is a brand that can be consumed across age strata Our products have been approved by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).”

     

  • Book presentation

    A book, West African Diet for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, was presented to the public on August 6 at Freedom Park, Broad Street, near City Hall, Lagos. It was authored by Adekemi Adejare, a dietician/nutritionist.

    Some topics discussed in the book include: high blood pressure, high cholesterols and weight management.

    The goal of the book is to help as many people as possible to stop high blood pressure, preventing diabetes, control blood pressure, stop high cholesterol and stop all killer diseases. Maintaining your weight is the main key focus of the book.

    “The objective of the book is for people to pay attention to their diet because a lot of diseases start from what we eat. We have to interpret the type of food we eat and the amount of food we eat.  Everything we put in our body system have impart, it interpret each other. We need to remember that food is medicine. Our mouth needs to be watched on what it takes. Food has imparts in our body so what we eat can either break our system or build it”, the author said.

  • Exclusively-breastfed infants immuned to life-threatening illnesses – Experts

    Experts on Tuesday in Lagos said infants exclusively breastfed had stronger immune system which enabled them to defend life-threatening illnesses.

     

    A Dietician, Mr Olusola Malomo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that breast milk only, with nothing else added contained all the nutrients and water a baby needs.

     

    Malomo, who works at Massey Hospital in Lagos, said exclusive breastfeeding (meaning no solid food, formula, or water) for at least six months of life seemed to offer best protection.

     

    He said that adding formula, water, tea, drinks, cereals and other foods, in the first six months increased the baby’s risk of allergies and diseases.

     

    “Exclusive breastfeeding is a balanced nutrition meal for infants to survive, grow properly and defend illnesses such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, malnutrition and allergies.

     

    “Infants require the right proportion of nutrients and breast milk is rich in nutrients and anti-bodies that contain the right quantities of fat, sugar, water and protein.

     

    “The first milk (foremilk) that comes from each breast is nutritious but looks thin and watery. This milk is mainly to quench the baby’s thirst.

     

    “After this foremilk, comes the richer hind milk which contains extra fat and energy so the baby will feel full and grow strong,’’ Malomo said.

     

    He advised mothers to breastfeed exclusively to guard against illnesses later in life.

     

    A Paediatrician and a staff of Gracene Hospital in Lagos, Dr Ronke Oni, also said that exclusive breastfeeding might also help children to avoid a host of diseases that could strike later in life.

     

    “Children who are not exclusively breastfed risk diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and inflammatory bowel disease.

     

    “Babies who have only breast milk for six months are less sick than babies who eat other foods; they have less pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.

     

    “They also have less intestinal disease, fewer infections and fewer allergies,’’ Oni said.

     

    She, however, advised working mothers to also do exclusive breastfeeding by expressing breast milk at work and at home.

     

    “Expressed milk should be left covered in a clean container in a cool place, to be fed from a cup while the mother is away.

     

    “Expressed breast milk would last eight to 10 hours out of the fridge and three days in a fridge.

     

    “When the mother returns home, she should breastfeed the baby often through the night,’’ she advised.

  • Onions lowers risk of cancer – Dietician

    Onions lowers risk of cancer – Dietician

    Dr Tunde Ajobo, a dietician at the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, on Thursday said that consuming onions could lower the risk of several diseases, particularly colorectal and stomach cancer.

    Ajobo, who is also Head of Department of Dietetics, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan that onions were a good source of strong antioxidant and vitamin C that help to combat the formation of free radicals known to cause cancer.

    He described onions as part of the alliums family of vegetables and herbs like chives, garlic, scallions and leeks.

    “Allium vegetables have been cultivated for centuries for not only their characteristic, pungent flavours but also for their medicinal properties.

    “Onions can vary in size, shape, colour and flavour and the most common types are red, yellow and white onions,’’ he said.

    According to Ajobo, onion flavours can vary from sweet and juicy with a mild flavour to a sharp, spicy and pungent often depending on the season in which they are grown and consumed.
    He said an estimated 105 billion pounds of onions are harvested each year world-wide with a quarter of the figure grown in Africa.

    He also said that the possible health benefits of consuming onions (aside from lowering risk of several cancers) include improving mood and maintaining the health of skin and hair.

    “Onions are a nutrient-dense food; meaning that while they are low in calories they are high in beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

    “One cup of chopped onion contains approximately 64 calories, 15 grams of carbohydrates with no fat and no cholesterol.

    “It also contains 3 grams of fibre, 7 grams of sugar, 2 grams of protein and 10 per cent or more of daily value for vitamin C, vitamin B-6 and manganese.

    “Onions also contain a small amount of calcium, iron, folate, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium and the antioxidants quercetin and sulphur,’’ he said.

    The dietician also recommended consumption of onions because of its many other health benefits.

    “Allium vegetables have been studied extensively in relation to cancer, especially stomach and colorectal cancers.

    “Their beneficial and preventive effects are likely due in part to their rich organosulfur compounds.

    “Although the exact mechanism by which these compounds inhibit cancer is unknown, possible hypothesis include the inhibition of tumour growth and mutagenesis and prevention of free radicals.’’

    According to Ajobo, several studies have proved that onion consumption help to lower risk of stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, colon and prostate cancer.

    He, however, warned that consuming a diet of mostly onions has its health risks.

    “It is best to eat a diet with a variety of foods than to concentrate on a single one; this is key to good health,’’ the dietician advised.

     

  • Healthy eating during pregnancy will guarantee baby’s well-being — Experts

    A dietician, Mr Olusola Malomo, on Thursday advised pregnant women to imbibe the healthy eating habit during pregnancy for proper growth and development of the foetus.


    Malomo, who works at the Massey Children Hospital, Lagos, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that adopting the healthy eating habit at any stage of pregnancy would be beneficial to the mother and the foetus.

    “Adopting a healthy eating plan before pregnancy is the best; a pregnant woman should begin to eat good food so as to keep the mother and baby healthy during pregnancy.
    “A nutritious, well-balanced eating plan can be one of the greatest gifts you can give to your developing baby and it will pave way for easy labour.
    “The food which expectant mothers eat determines the basic nutritional health which her child is born with, and provides a model for eating habits during childhood and thereafter.
    “Try to incorporate vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, lean protein, and other wise food choices into your eating plan before and during pregnancy, to give your baby a strong start in life.
    “The food a woman eats on daily basis during pregnancy will affect how her body works, and how she maintains energy and strength for years to come,’’ he said.

    Malomo said that mothers who do not eat good food during pregnancy place their babies at risk of severe complications such as premature birth and could cause lung and heart problems.
    “Eat protein such as chicken, fish and lean beef. Calcium-based foods are milk, eggs, yoghurt and cabbage. Iron foods are bread, cornmeal, cereals, among others.

    He also advised pregnant women to drink more water and avoid alcoholic beverages.

    Also, a gynaecologist, Mr Oriola Idris, who works with the White Waters Hospital in Ikorodu, said that pregnant women should avoid tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.
    “Reduce caffeinated beverages from your daily intake, maintain a healthy eating habit throughout your pregnancy and do reasonable exercises, to ease labour and delivery.
    “Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any strange step during pregnancy,’’ Idris added.

  • Onions: A remedy for many ailments, says dietician

    A Dietician at the Garki Hospital, Abuja, Miss Yemisi Olowookere, on Monday recommended the consumption of onions as a remedy for many ailments.

    Olowookere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that consumption of onions was important because of its therapeutic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and other beneficial properties.

    According to her, onions is a vegetable that gives an excellent taste to dishes and can be found in different colours such as yellow, red and white.

    Olowookere said: “It also has low calorie, while proteins are present in small portions with negligible fat content.

    “Onions help prevent thrombosis, a formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel, obstructing the flow of blood through the circulatory system.

    `This is because they have anti-platelet adhesiveness both in fresh onions as well as cooked onions.”

    She said that onions had been found to be very good for people suffering from high blood pressure, adding that onions were diuretic as they could increase secretion of urine, as well as alkalise foods.

    “They help reduce inflammation and are beneficial for those suffering from neuritis; vertigo and bronchitis as regular consumption of onions also prevents colon cancer.

    “They contain essential oils that are responsible for onions typical odour,’’ she said.

    Olowookere explained that the vegetable fibre diminished the absorption of cholesterol and anti-diabetic action which delayed the passage of sugar into the blood stream.

    She said onions were also good for people who had diabetes and would improve the hair, finger, toe nails and the eyes.

    “They have anti-allergy properties; they are slight laxatives and help the body in destroying worms and other parasites. Researchers have revealed that onions prolong longevity,” she said.

    The dietician said that extracts from onions were rich in a variety of sulphides and provided some protection against tumour growth.

    She said that onions stimulated the detoxifying function of the liver as well as improved the activity of other digestive juice producing glands.

    Olowookere, however, said that studies had shown that people, who eat onions and garlic, had much lower risk of developing stomach cancer.

    “Therefore, abundant onions consumption is fully justified as a cancer preventive and as a complement to the treatment of certain type of cancer such as that of the stomach and the colon.

    “Eating raw onions can stop or relieve an asthma crisis because of its anti-allergic and broncho-dilator properties which effects can last up to twelve hours.

    She said that inhaling the essential oil in onions was beneficial and more appropriate for children.