Summary: Mothers who eat an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may be putting their children at risk of developing long term, irreversible health issues including obesity, raised levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, according to new research.

The committee considered two nutrient-related health risks in children: iron deficiency and development of dental caries.

Children’s nutritional needs differ from those of adults primarily because they are growing….Nutrition in children – growth faltering, food allergy and other common problems

• growth faltering (failure to thrive), iron deficiency anaemia,
• rickets, constipation,
• food allergy.

Nutritional risk factors, which are extrinsic factors that influence nutritional status and place an older person at increased risk for poor nutrition, include multiple medications, social isolation /eating alone most of the time, oral/dental problems, difficulty in the preparation of meals, difficulty in shopping for …

Factors contributing to malnutrition

• Normal age-related changes.
• Illness.
• Impairment in ability to eat.
• Dementia.
• Medications.
• Restricted diets.
• Limited income.
• Reduced social contact.

The Factors That Influence Our Food Choices

• Biological determinants such as hunger, appetite, and taste.
• Economic determinants such as cost, income, availability.
• Physical determinants such as access, education, skills (e.g. cooking) and time.
• Social determinants such as culture, family, peers and meal patterns.

The body uses the nutrients for energy, growth, and cell repair.

It’s important to avoid — or at least limit — foods that contain added sugar, refined grains, and artificial trans fats. These are some of the unhealthiest but most common ingredients in the modern diet. Thus, the importance of reading labels cannot be overstated. This even applies to so-called health foods.

The Best (and Worst) Drinks for Heart Health

• Drink: Water. Plain old water might be the best thing to drink for overall health, and that includes your heart.
• Drink: Tea. People have been drinking tea for thousands of years.
• Drink: Coffee.
• Drink: Beetroot Juice.
• Don’t Drink: Soda.
• Don’t Drink: Energy Drinks.
• Don’t Drink (Too Much): Alcohol.

Sodas, fruit juices and energy drinks are high in sugar and empty calories, and they increase your chances of gaining weight. The carbohydrates in these drinks also only offer short bursts of energy rather than long-term benefits. Again, stay away from sugary drinks if possible.

“Regular consumption of these ingredients in the high quantities you find in Coke and other processed foods and drinks can lead to higher blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. […] However, a small amount now and then won’t do any major harm. The key is moderation!”

Water is also critical for your heart health. Your heart is constantly working, pumping about 2,000 gallons of blood a day. By staying hydrated – that is, by drinking more water than you are losing – you are helping your heart do its job.

Decreases Heart Rate Another reason to avoid drinking chilled water is because it decreases the heart rate. Studies have shown that drinking chilled water not only decreases the heart rate but also stimulates the vagus nerve.

Drinking water that’s too hot can damage the tissue in your esophagus, burn your taste buds, and scald your tongue. Be very careful when drinking hot water. Drinking cool, not hot, water is best for rehydration . Generally, though, drinking hot water has no harmful effects and is safe to use as a remedy.

You should drink at least 650 mL (3 cups) of water right after waking up.

The best time to have your breakfast is within two hours of waking up. Having breakfast after waking up is good for your metabolism, say experts. If you are a gym-goer and prefer exercising in the morning, have something light like a banana or an avocado toast, at least half an hour before working out.