Chips, quencher are a health risk
Sep 11, 2005
THEY may look colourful and enticing, but nutritionists do not recommend junk foods for a child in school.
By Carol Natukunda
THEY may look colourful and enticing, but nutritionists do not recommend junk foods for a child in school.
Nelly Birungi, a nutritionist at the nutrition and rehabilitation complex, Mulago hospital, says foods like chips (french fries), burgers and sweet items like soda and biscuits could pose a health risk.
“A child becomes overweight, and sometimes develops diseases like diabetes,†she says.
Birungi says according to research, children who grow fatter tend to become dull. “There is an effect on the brain,†she says.
Dr. Nathan Tumwesigye, of the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care at Mulago Hospital, also says foodstuffs like cakes and biscuits contain a high sugar content and carbohydrates, which may ‘kill’ the appetite of the child.
“If they are consumed before the main meals, you feel satisfied and won’t eat any food. But they aren’t as nutritious. They only cause fatness or obesity. The child becomes much weaker both in mind and body,†the doctor warns.
Grace Canada, a nutritionist says such foods are so acidified that consuming them regularly on an empty stomach could cause serious irritation to the intestine lining.
Canada says the high sugar and fat content in the cookies and cake provide empty calories that may cause excess body fat without providing adequate nutrients for the child.
Canada also says the refined sugar in these foods may lead to irritability, tiredness, bad temper, forgetfulness, poor concentration and performance in schoolwork.
Sometimes, Dr. Tumwesigye says, the chemicals in such foods could cause tooth decay. “This is what we call dental cavities,†he says.
Recommendations
Birungi says fresh milk (not powdered) and fruits like oranges, passion fruits, and avocado could be some of the nutritious foods that a child should take. She advises parents to identify juices that contain 100% fruit products or ingredients. “Some of the juices on the market just contain food colour and sugar,†she cautions.
Canada recommends soya, beans, raw groundnuts, sim sim seeds, sunflower seeds, powdered skimmed milk, which foods are highly nutritious and release energy at a slower level providing the child with adequate blood sugar levels between meals.
Dr. Tumwesigye says it’s important to give priority to main meals. “Real food is digested fast, giving a boost to your child’s energy level,†he says, adding, “he or she should however not just sit down or go to sleep after eating. This could lead to obesity.â€
THEY may look colourful and enticing, but nutritionists do not recommend junk foods for a child in school.
Nelly Birungi, a nutritionist at the nutrition and rehabilitation complex, Mulago hospital, says foods like chips (french fries), burgers and sweet items like soda and biscuits could pose a health risk.
“A child becomes overweight, and sometimes develops diseases like diabetes,†she says.
Birungi says according to research, children who grow fatter tend to become dull. “There is an effect on the brain,†she says.
Dr. Nathan Tumwesigye, of the Regional Centre for Quality of Health Care at Mulago Hospital, also says foodstuffs like cakes and biscuits contain a high sugar content and carbohydrates, which may ‘kill’ the appetite of the child.
“If they are consumed before the main meals, you feel satisfied and won’t eat any food. But they aren’t as nutritious. They only cause fatness or obesity. The child becomes much weaker both in mind and body,†the doctor warns.
Grace Canada, a nutritionist says such foods are so acidified that consuming them regularly on an empty stomach could cause serious irritation to the intestine lining.
Canada says the high sugar and fat content in the cookies and cake provide empty calories that may cause excess body fat without providing adequate nutrients for the child.
Canada also says the refined sugar in these foods may lead to irritability, tiredness, bad temper, forgetfulness, poor concentration and performance in schoolwork.
Sometimes, Dr. Tumwesigye says, the chemicals in such foods could cause tooth decay. “This is what we call dental cavities,†he says.
Recommendations
Birungi says fresh milk (not powdered) and fruits like oranges, passion fruits, and avocado could be some of the nutritious foods that a child should take. She advises parents to identify juices that contain 100% fruit products or ingredients. “Some of the juices on the market just contain food colour and sugar,†she cautions.
Canada recommends soya, beans, raw groundnuts, sim sim seeds, sunflower seeds, powdered skimmed milk, which foods are highly nutritious and release energy at a slower level providing the child with adequate blood sugar levels between meals.
Dr. Tumwesigye says it’s important to give priority to main meals. “Real food is digested fast, giving a boost to your child’s energy level,†he says, adding, “he or she should however not just sit down or go to sleep after eating. This could lead to obesity.â€