Special Diets Flashcards
What is coronary heart disease?
When coronary arteries have LDL cholesterol buildup in them, making them narrower.
What is arthrosclerosis?
Gradual blockage of the coronary arteries.
What is a coronary artery?
Supplies the cardiac muscle with blood.
What are the effects of narrowing of arteries?
Angina and heart attack.
What is angina?
Blood supply to heart is restricted. The heart does not get enough O2, leading to chest pain and shortness of breath.
What is a heart attack?
Blood clot develops in narrow coronary artery cutting off O2 to heart.
What are the risk factors of coronary heart disease?
High intake of saturated fat, high salt intake, obesity, and smoking.
What is the effect of high intake of saturated fat?
Increases LDL cholesterol buildup in the arteries, narrowing them, increasing risk of CHD.
Example: Chips, butter & steak.
What is the effect of high salt intake?
Increases pressure of blood pumped through arteries, increasing risk of CHD.
Example: Chips, tinned soups & frozen pizza.
What is obesity?
When a person is 20% or more above the recommended weight for their height.
What are the causes of obesity?
Excessive calorie intake, lack of physical exercise, poor food choices, and psychological problems.
What is the effect of excessive calorie intake?
Too many calories are eaten & not used up, leading to weight gain as excess calories are changed to adipose tissue.
What is the effect of lack of physical exercise?
Calories are not being used up, leading to weight gain as excess calories are changed to adipose tissue.
What is the effect of poor food choices?
Eating high-fat foods regularly leads to weight gain as excess calories are changed to adipose tissue.
Example: Pizza & chips.
What are the health risks associated with obesity?
High blood pressure, diabetes (Type 2), coronary heart disease, arthritis, and psychological problems.
What is the effect of high blood pressure?
The lumen of arteries narrows as LDL cholesterol builds up, increasing the pressure of blood pumped through them.
What is diabetes?
Caused by a lack of the hormone insulin or if it is produced, it is ineffective.
What is the function of insulin?
Helps muscle cells absorb the sugars taken in through food.
What are the types of diabetes?
Type 1 (insulin dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin dependent).
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
Always tired, sudden weight loss, always thirsty, sexual problems, and vaginal problems.
What are the dietary guidelines for diabetics?
Eat regular meals, increase low GI intake, reduce sugar intake, and reduce fatty foods.
What are high GI foods?
Carbs broken down quickly by the body, leading to a quick increase in blood sugar levels, which is bad for diabetes.
Example: White rice & mashed potato.
What are low GI foods?
Carbs are broken down slowly by the body, leading to a gradual increase in blood sugar levels, which is good for diabetes.
Example: Brown rice & porridge.
What are bowel disorders?
Constipation, hemorrhoids, and IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome).
What is constipation?
Caused by lack of fiber in diet; faeces become hard and compact, making them hard to expel.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
Swollen blood vessels burst through the anus due to pressure from trying to remove small compact faeces.
Symptoms include itchy bum and blood in faeces.
What is IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)?
The bowel does not work as it should, causing irregular spasms and painful stomach cramps.
What are the dietary guidelines for reducing bowel disorders?
Eat lots of fiber-rich foods, drink lots of water, and eat porridge for breakfast.
What is celiac disease?
Chronic disease caused by the inability to digest gluten, damaging the gut.
What are the symptoms of celiac disease?
Slow growth, weight loss, bloating, anemia, tiredness, and mouth ulcers.
What are the dietary guidelines for celiac disease?
Exclude all foods containing gluten and include gluten-free products.
What are ways to increase fiber consumption?
Eat more fruit & veg, wholemeal bread, add seeds to dishes, and snack on mixed nuts and raisins.
What are the benefits of eating a high fiber diet?
Stabilizes blood sugar levels, lowers LDL cholesterol, and prevents bowel disorders.
What are the effects of high sugar intake?
Obesity and dental decay.
What is a vegetarian?
A person who does not eat meat and consists mainly of plant sources.
What are the types of vegetarian diets?
Vegan, pesco-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, and pollo-vegetarian.
What is a vegan diet?
Very strict diet that excludes all animal products.
What are the benefits of a vegetarian diet?
Cheaper, healthier, less salt, and reduced risk of obesity.
What are the dietary guidelines for people following a vegetarian diet?
Eat fortified cereals, include protein from legumes, and for vegans, include alternative dairy foods.
