diet analysis
Diet Analysis Project
I analyzed my food intake over a 24- hour period, and although I was not surprised by what I observed, I noticed that I was not meeting the daily requirements for all of the food groups. One major area of concern was my fruit intake. Even though I do eat fruit sometimes, I don’t eat it regularly, and the day that I observed my intake was no exception. I don’t eat as often as I should due to my schedule, and in addition to that, fruit just doesn’t seem substantial enough to justify choosing that as the food of choice when I just want something to quickly snack on. I checked MyPlate, and it confirmed that I was taking in nowhere near the recommended 2 cups of fruit per day.
Admittedly, my fruit intake has always been a major weakness since I’ve been in charge of my own diet. In light of that fact, and the results my research, it seems likely that I am not getting enough vitamin C in my diet. I know that fruits are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and other vital nutrients that can have an effect on my body according to the amount consumed. This is why I need to focus on the lack of fruit my diet and take steps to rectify the situation so I can increase my vitamin C intake, and eat healthier in general.
According to an article about vitamin C from the University of Maryland medical center, vitamin C is an antioxidant that blocks damage that can result from free radicals, which are substances that can damage DNA (2). Vitamin C also helps to grow and heal tissue throughout the body including: skin, cartilage, blood vessels, and ligaments through the production of collagen (2).
The Linus Pauling Institute article on vitamin C explains that vitamin C is water-soluble, and as such, is not stored our bodies for any extended period of time (1). Humans also do not have the ability to produce ascorbic acid, so that means it is very important to get vitamin C from our diet (1). Given the health risks such as heart disease that can result from an
I analyzed my food intake over a 24- hour period, and although I was not surprised by what I observed, I noticed that I was not meeting the daily requirements for all of the food groups. One major area of concern was my fruit intake. Even though I do eat fruit sometimes, I don’t eat it regularly, and the day that I observed my intake was no exception. I don’t eat as often as I should due to my schedule, and in addition to that, fruit just doesn’t seem substantial enough to justify choosing that as the food of choice when I just want something to quickly snack on. I checked MyPlate, and it confirmed that I was taking in nowhere near the recommended 2 cups of fruit per day.
Admittedly, my fruit intake has always been a major weakness since I’ve been in charge of my own diet. In light of that fact, and the results my research, it seems likely that I am not getting enough vitamin C in my diet. I know that fruits are a good source of vitamin C, potassium and other vital nutrients that can have an effect on my body according to the amount consumed. This is why I need to focus on the lack of fruit my diet and take steps to rectify the situation so I can increase my vitamin C intake, and eat healthier in general.
According to an article about vitamin C from the University of Maryland medical center, vitamin C is an antioxidant that blocks damage that can result from free radicals, which are substances that can damage DNA (2). Vitamin C also helps to grow and heal tissue throughout the body including: skin, cartilage, blood vessels, and ligaments through the production of collagen (2).
The Linus Pauling Institute article on vitamin C explains that vitamin C is water-soluble, and as such, is not stored our bodies for any extended period of time (1). Humans also do not have the ability to produce ascorbic acid, so that means it is very important to get vitamin C from our diet (1). Given the health risks such as heart disease that can result from an
References: 1.) Angelo, Giana, & Higdon, Jane. (2013). Vitamin C. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminC/ 2.) Ehrlich, Steven D. (2011). Medical Reference Guide: Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved from http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid