Report On Training Of Women On Nutrition By Using Local Foodstuff And Food Hygiene For Nutritious Diet
INTRODUCTION
From October 6th to 11th, 2023, nutrition and food safety training sessions were conducted in eight communities: Ayimadukrom/Kwameduakrom, Boete/Brahabebome, Akaporiso, Odumase, Ayease/Diawuoso, Tutuka, Asonkore, and Jimiso. The training focused on using locally available ingredients to prepare nutritious meals. A total of three hundred and fifty-six (356) participants attended the program, consisting of sixty (60) males and two hundred and ninety-six (296) females.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
Participants were taken through the following topics
1. GOOD NUTRITION
• Good nutrition – was defined as means getting the right amount of nutrients from healthy foods
in the right combinations. Good nutrition means eating a variety of foods that give you the
nutrients you need to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy. These nutrients include
protein, carbohydrates, fat, water, vitamins, and minerals.
• Again, it was defined as a means of avoiding processed foods, as much as possible that may have
a long list of unfamiliar ingredients and contain excessive amounts of sodium.
• Good nutrition was termed as a means limiting and being aware of added sugar. Research shows
that there is a link between sugar, addiction and the risk for cardiovascular disease.
• Lastly, good nutrition was defined as considering balance, variety and moderation in everything
that you eat. Having nutrition knowledge and making smart choices about the foods you eat can
and will help you achieve optimum health over your lifetime, and be a key to avoiding obesity,
illness, and many of today’s most prevalent chronic diseases.
BENEFITS OF GOOD NUTRITION
• Long, healthy life – Research shows that by consuming a healthy diet, you will live longer, and
live better.
• Reduced risk of disease – Nutrition has a positive impact on heart disease, diabetes and
cancer.
• Better digestive health – Nutrition helps keep the gastrointestinal track healthy and
functioning at its best.
• Better hydration – Consuming healthy beverages (water, low fat dairy, and low calorie
beverages) along with fruits and vegetables can keep you hydrated. At least 60% of the body is
water.
• Healthier kids – Better nutrition can help your kids be healthier in the future. Breastfeeding
and introducing healthy foods early is the key.
BALANCED DIET AND ITS BENEFITS
A balanced diet was defined as a diet consisting of the proper quantities and proportions of foods needed to maintain health or growth. A balanced diet is one that provides the body with all the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals required to maintain cells, tissues and organs as well as to function correctly. A diet that is lacking in nutrients can lead to many different health problems ranging from tiredness and lack of energy to serious problems with the function of vital organs and lack of growth and development.
SIGNS OF MALNUTRITION
1. Unexplained Fatigue
Fatigue is a common side effect of iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia, indicated by low
levels of red blood cells. Anemia can also show up as abnormal paleness.
2. Brittle and Dry Hair
Hair, which is made up mostly of protein, serves as a useful diagnostic marker for nutritional
deficiencies.
When an older person’s hair looks brittle, dry, and sparse, it’s often a sign that their diet is
inadequate.
Brittle hair can signal a deficit of essential fatty acids, protein, iron, and other nutrients.
Some hair loss is usual with age, of course. But if hair begins to fall out at an unusual rate,
nutrient deficiencies may be the cause.
3. Ridged or Spoon-Shaped Nails
Like hair, nails serve as an early warning sign of an inadequate diet. A spoon-shaped nail, in
which the nail curves up from the nail bed like a spoon can be an indicator of iron-deficiency
anemia.
4. Mouth Problems
Cracking or inflammation at the corners of the mouth can be a warning sign of either riboflavin (B2) deficiency or iron deficiency. An unusually pale or swollen tongue is a warning sign of iron or B-vitamin deficiency. A condition called burning mouth syndrome, which continues to puzzle researchers, may arise when iron, zinc, or B-vitamin levels fall below the required level.
• Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be a sign of mal-absorption, which means nutrients are not being fully absorbed by
the body.
6. Apathy or Irritability
Mood changes, especially feeling apathetic or irritable, can be symptoms of a serious medical
illness like depression. But they can also be symptoms that your body isn’t getting the energy
it needs.
7. Lack of Appetite
With age, appetite often diminishes. Taste buds lose their sensitivity. Because seniors tend to
be less active, they require fewer calories.
FOOD HYGIENE AND SAFETY
Food hygiene consists of a set of practices and conditions essential to ensure food is safe, suitable and wholesome for human consumption, preventing contamination and spoilage throughout the food chain.
Every food handler must always remember that food can be contaminated at any given point in time. Therefore, there is the need to ensure that any practice or condition that is potentially compromising to the wholesomeness or safety of the food is prevented. Some of the essential practices include
• Adequately wash your hands with soap under running water before handling food and after
visiting the loo
• Cover your hair and remove all jewelries on the fingers and around your wrist when cooking
• Adequately cover food from flies, rodents and dust
• Use clean water for cooking
• Prevent customers from touching food presented for sale
• Remove cobwebs from your food premises to prevent contamination
• Ensure adequate personal hygiene always
• Preserve food/foodstuff adequately to prevent spoilage
PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF LOCALLY PREPARED BALANCED DIET
• RECIPE FOR PREPARATION FOR APREPRENSA
roasted corn flour, palm nuts, tomato, pepper, onion, salt, herrings and water
wash and boil palm nuts
pound palm nuts till the outer layer is softened
pour pounded into a basin add water, still and scoop the mixture
drain mixture in a colander
put herrings, tomatoes, pepper, salt to taste and sliced onion in a sauce pan and boil with
palm nut mixture
grind the pepper and tomatoes and add to the mixture
allow it to cook
add OFSP mash
add roasted corn flour and stir briskly and cover
stir again until cooked
serve hot
garnish with cooked beans
PARTICIPANTS
COMMUNITIES MALES FEMALES TOTAL
Akaporiso 11 36 47
Asonkore 7 31 38
Ayease/ Diawuoso 3 46 49
Kwameduakrom/Ayimadukrom 9 43 52
Tutuka 5 43 48
Odumasi 9 27 36
Brahabebome/Boete 7 41 48
Jimiso 9 29 38
Total 60 296 356
RECOMMENDATION
a. more of such activities should be carried out regularly
b. farmers should be encouraged to take more fruits and vegetables