Hi all, Happy to be a part of this group. I have few questions. I have hypothyrodism for 5 years and on medication. I couldn't reduce my weight. I lost interest and didn't take seriouly about my weight. I am 34 and weighing 90kgs and I am 5'2''. Recently my gallbladder was removed because of gall stone. Now I am keen in reducing my weight. I hope i'll get enough advice and motivation from this group. The dietician I am visiting giving me a printed list of food which i couldn't practically follow. I rarely rather never exercise. I am in software development and has no physical activity at all in work place. I goto office at 8 and return home by 8. I rarely eat outside. Helllllllllllllllllp me.

 Hi all,

hi jayashree,

as long as you are able to maintain your weight its just fine.

are you overweight ? if so do take some measures to bring down your weight dieting and exercising (aerobic) for the benefit of health and fitness.

try some tummy reducing exercises consulting a trainer

if you so uncomfortable about your stomach looking bit odd for instant remedy  try some shape wear...its available in shathi's gournmet, shastri nagar, adyar.

dhilshath.

Nutrition for school going children

The school going children are in school greater part of the day. The relationship of sound nutrition and child’s performance in school especially cognitive functions has long been established. During this period from 6-12 years the rate of growth slows than the preschool years but there is a steady growth pattern and so the nutritional requirements

Most of the children enjoy eating food to alleviate hunger at this stage that the hustle and bustles of feeding children like in preschool years is over now.

The challenge is to offer a variety of foods for the child to incorporate into his daily intake.  The diet should provide all the basic five groups cereals, pulses and meat group, milk group, fruits and vegetables, fats and oils to make it a balanced one. If the child does not have access to items from all groups on a regular basis, self selection of a balanced diet either in day or over several days is impossible.

Studies have proven children who skip breakfast tend to perform poor in school. Children don’t want to spend a lot of time at the table and feel rushed in the morning for reaching classes on time. So menus have to provide dishes that are quick to eat and yet nutritionally satisfying.

For e.g. breakfast cereal with milk, scrambled egg, salads

 bread omlette and salads,

 idli and sambar (with veggies in it), etc.

Taking lunch from home needs little effort, but helps in maintaining good health. Lunches packed should be balanced one providing nearly one 3^rd of a days requirement especially protein and calories.  Number of items may be less but it should incorporate all the five groups of food for good health. For e.g. including one serving of greens will take care of 1/3 of requirements of vitamins and minerals for a day.  The food packed should be easy to handle and less messy.  Monotony should be avoided in packed lunches. Provide variety. It is better that different food is packed for lunch than the one had for breakfast.

Suggested packed lunches :

Vegetable pulao, boiled egg, tomato raita and orange fruit

Methi chapathi, thick dhal and buttermilk

Chapathi stuffed with dhal with green leafy vegetables

Cheese sandwiches or paneer sandwiches, guava

Kichadi, buttermilk and coriander chutney

Sambar rice, keerai porial and buttermilk

Adai with drumstick leaves and coconut chutney

Providing variety in colour, texture, taste and flavour can alleviate boredom and children at this stage are likely to enjoy foods presented in new ways. New foods should be repeated at regular intervals for the child to learn to accept it.  Children have varying appetites and prefer small meals/snacks at frequent intervals to a few large ones.  Too large meals will make them sleepy and hence a meal should be just enough for the child. Child’s food preferences (likes and dislikes) should be taken in consideration too.

Our Govt. through ICDS programme provides nutritious meal to underprivileged school children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and infants. 

Some of the city schools have introduced school meal programmes to provide whole some nutritious food for children.

Schools also should take care that the snacks available at their canteens are nutritious and safe for children.  Instead of aerated drinks and juices, fresh fruit juices, tender coconut, milk, and buttermilk, soups and instead of chips, chocolates, burgers, fries and others, vegetable sandwich, sundal or channa, steamed corn, steamed peanuts, fruits and vegetable salads, etc. can be made available.

As children grow, they acquire knowledge and assimilate concepts by leaps and bounds. The early years are ideal for providing nutrition information and promoting positive attitudes about all foods. This education can be informal and natural and take place in the home with parents as models and a diet with wide variety of foods. Children can be made to make healthful choices

• by being role model
• making them plant vegetables or fruit trees
• taking them to farmer’s market
• allowing them to plan for dinner with help of food guide pyramid
• encouraging them to prepare simple recipes
• appreciating when children make healthful food choices

The media like television influence our children’s knowledge about nutrition and food choices and it is our responsibility to see that they get the correct information and knowledge for their benefit and help them make wise choices.

Last but not the least; children also need adequate physical activity to enhance good health and growth, in addition to good nutrition.

Mrs. Dhilshath Katheeja,

Diet Counselor

Hi All,

I was 45kgs - 50kgs b4 2 yrs. Now im 55 - 60kgs. My friends r saying that i have perfect structure, but only thing i have to do is loss weight in stomach.

Please help me in this regard. Im nt comfortable as my stomach looks like pregnant.

Regards

Jayshree

hi manjula,

yes, sure .

hi dhilshath, I appreciate your effort to share your thoughts in this site for chennai moms. Well i do have some queries on the subject so may i first get your permission to raise my query , thank you.