You can monitor and measure your health by regularly checking the following; General health check How you look and feel Family history Height and weight charts Measuring blood pressure Checking your pulse Blood and urine tests You need different nutrients in your diet to keep you healthy. Vitamin RDA Why you need it What happens if you are deficient 700 micrograms Keeps the eyes healthy Impaired vision B 1.5 micrograms Increases metabolism Maintains healthy skin and muscle tone.
Enhance immune system Promote cell growth and division You may become anaemic and suffer other side affects as depression, confusion, forgetfulness and palpitations. C 90 milligrams Helps protect cells and keeps them healthy Helps the body absorb iron from food Can cause scurvy if you do not eat enough. D 200-400 IU Helps absorb calcium from the intestine Maintains blood levels of calcium May reduce the risk of colon & breast cancer and the risk of arthritis Osteomalacia in adults and deformed bones characteristics of rickets.
E 30- 1,200 IU Protects cells and helps maintain red blood cells Causes low birth weight H 0.3 – 1 mg Helps burn carbs Fatigue, depression, nausea, hair loss and anaemia. K 80 mcg Encourages blood clotting to prevent excessive bleeding. Nosebleeds, heavy periods, blood in the urine and stools and easy bruising. There are different factors that influence a person’s food choice. Education- this could affect someone’s food choice because if they have not been educated about what foods are good and which are bad then they will not choose healthy choices for themselves.
Income- this could affect a person’s food choice because if they are on a low income they will not be able to afford fresh foods and healthier more expensive products. This will result in them picking high fat low priced foods like chips, burgers and pizza. Whereas a well off family will be able to afford fresh fruit and vegetables and healthier foods. Eating out- this may affect a persons food choice as they may think that they can just have a treat, which is fine, however if they are eating out all the time they will gain weight. They will not be able to tell what exactly is in their food and may go over on calories, fat and salt intake.
Smoking and drinking- drinking affects peoples eating habits as most people will get a pizza or kebab on they way home from a club. Smoking affects peoples eating habits as they often replace food with a cigarette, this may cause them to become under nourished. Age- this might affect a person’s food choice, as young people like to eat junk foods and drink a lot of alcohol. Older people often skip meals, which could make them malnourished.