Is the Meat you indulge in safe?

The other day I was purchasing meats from my local butchery and I was quick to notice the difference in chunks of meat hang on the wall. I decided to take my time and watch this particular butcher whether this is a normality he has or it was just for the day.

Interestingly, one day early in the morning I met him sprinkling meat with a solution which I later found that the meat had changed colour and looked very fresh and appealing to customers. So now, was this solution sodium nitrate or sodium nitrite? YES!

The question is why should you care the type of red meat you purchase? As a nutritionist I condemn the use of red meat profusely but then again there is that occasional indulgence that you wish to have especially with your friends or just wish to taste something different. That is definately allowed.

Now to know the difference of the meats that have been treated with sodium nitrate component, just look at the meats offered on display in the supermarkets. stores like Nakumatt have heavy loads of meat that are normally looking very appetizing for the customers. While if compared to meats from some butcheries it looks too different! The butchers nowadays have resulted in sprinkling their meat with this sodium nitrate/ sodium nitrite solution so as to improve appearance and keep being in business.

Without knowing you may fall in love with your butcher simply because he or she always has fresh looking meat. But here are the dangers:

Sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite are food additives commonly used in cured meat. Its main function is to inhibit clostridium botulinum bacteria from producing the toxin that causes botulism. Botulism is a life-threatening illness that results in paralysis and eventually death. Nitrate combined with salt is extremely effective at inhibiting the growth of clostridium botulinum. Sodium nitrate also contributes to the flavor and pink color of cured meats.

The main concern is that it can form carcinogenic compounds called nitrosamines when added to meat products. Nitrosamines have been linked to bladder, colon, esophageal, and gastric cancers.

In kenya you might be at a risk of:

Inhibited Oxygen Transportation

Your body relies on sufficient production of hemoglobin to ensure that all internal systems get the oxygen they need to function properly. Normally this is because, a diet high in sodium nitrites may lead to a health condition called methemoglobinemia, which is the inability of your red blood cells to transport oxygen throughout your body. This condition causes respiratory problems and can be fatal. Reducing your intake of foods with sodium nitrites can help prevent this condition.

May Cause Cancer

The reaction that your body has to the ingestion of sodium nitrite can vary depending on how much of it you consume from foods. The salts in sodium nitrites can cause a reaction that produces a chemical called nitrosamines, which increase your risk of developing cancer. Cancer research analysts say that sodium nitrites can lead to gastrointestinal and brain cancer. Restricting your intake can help prevent these reactions from occurring.

Increase in Childhood Type 1 Diabetes Risk

Type 1 diabetes can occur in infants and young children when their pancreas does not have the ability to produce insulin. This can be a life-threatening condition if insulin levels are not monitored closely. High intake of sodium nitrites while pregnant may increase your baby's risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This risk is higher for male babies and occurs because of your body's reaction to sodium nitrite. The risk of juvenile type 1 diabetes can also occur if your water supply is high in sodium nitrites and you drink it while pregnant or offer it to your young children.

Other Effects

Eating a diet high in foods that contain sodium nitrites can cause irritation to your digestive system, including your mouth, esophagus and stomach. If irritation occurs, you may experience pain, particularly abdominal pain. High consumption of sodium nitrites is also associated with damage to your blood and your blood vessels. At toxic levels, sodium nitrites can also lead to rapid heart rate and difficulty breathing.

Look at this picture attached above and spot the difference in the meat

While the meat on the left is healthy, that on the right is cured with sodium nitrate! 

chicken and fish are also not left out and are usually cured to look as fresh while they may be as old as one month since they were slaughtered! Always buy chicken from the people who slaughter them upfront. As well, the chicken nowadays is cured with hormones to accelerate growth. Well that is a subject for another day.

Meanwhile, as you probably indulge in that nyama choma or buy meat from your butcher, be careful to spot the difference in butchers and then make a choice.. you have the information now..

Any comments and concerns you can post here.

Nduta

Nutrition counsellor.

Painful cramps?

Every girl knows how painful it is to have cramps each month and end up holding up normal activities because you are numb and cannot function! We go for bascopan, painkillers,much has been said even on using hot water bottle to ease the pain! 

In kenya I have come across enough women who do not have an idea what to do next. Sadly, even I have gone through the same pains and know all too well...

Believe it or not, you can treat menstrual cramps with nutrition. Adjusting your diet can reduce the severity of menstrual cramping, especially if you suffer from moderate to severe pain. Most women suffer from cramping at some point from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. Being able to treat menstrual cramps with nutrition is an easy way to feel better fast.

Nutrition Tips
. Eat a low fat, high fiber diet to treat menstrual cramps with nutrition. Many women crave sweet or salty foods during this time, but you should be careful of your food choices. This kind of diet also helps increase energy levels and stabilize mood.


.Plan smaller, more balanced frequent meals. Space them throughout your day instead of eating three large meals. Make sure they are nutritious and include a variety of fruit, vegetables, chicken and fish.


.Take a multiple vitamin with minerals each day. To treat menstrual cramps with nutrition, it's important to get that daily dose. Include important minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium, increasing the amount of calcium and magnesium before and during your period.

. Eliminate alcohol if you tend to retain water each month. Avoid it completely or stick to mainly light wine.

. Avoid diuretics. Even though many women have used them for years believing that they reduce period bloating, they can eliminate all of the helpful minerals from your body along with the water. Instead, just reduce your salt intake and alcohol during this time.

. Increase your consumption of foods with omega-3 fatty acids. They have an anti-inflammatory effect and help to stabilize mood. These foods have also block production of prostaglandins, which cause menstrual cramps.

Look at some foods we avoid or take casually:

Pineapple

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that helps relax muscles to relieve menstrual discomfort. Regularly enjoying fresh pineapple will make a difference in how you feel. The greatest concentration of bromelain in pineapple is in and near the stem.

Spinach

 
The nutrients that we know fight menstrual cramps -- magnesium and vitamins B6 and E -- are found in abundance in spinach. The nutritional profile of this healthy vegetable makes it an excellent option for women who suffer from pain and bloating during their periods.

Dhania

Yes, dhania...it  is rich in apiol, a compound that has been proven to stimulate the menstrual process and relieve cramps. It's also a superfood loaded with lots of healthy nutrients.

 In addition to this....ladies its gud 2 check the kind of sanitary towels & pantliners that you use.Not all pads on sale out there are good 4 u..make an informed choice ladies.... check out these pads that significantly reduce the pain don't just go for the common always...

Nduta 

Nutrition counsellor

Don't let Him Get Here!!

I write this from a professional nutrition view,with a high essence of honesty and concern. Recently, I have seen so many relationships and marriages suffer from the reduced sexual drive in men today.

Its the time after the bachelors party and he is excited that he has kissed dating good bye and can now settle down and enjoy marriage. Some few years into the marriage he feels worn out already and as the lay man says he is blank of the drive for sex.

Sex by design was handcrafted by God and within the world He would like it to be enjoyed during marriage and marriage alone...This means that it should be somewhat sustainable to have a fulfilling marriage.

A look in the market today one would get the impression of exactly what the value of sex has become to many. So many remedies that surround the value of sex in a manner to improve the libido of either the men or the woman. This is a subject that is all too well known by many as a therapy that requires the consultation of a doctor or a therapist who is well versed with the sex subjects. Many of the marriages today have seen men left out of the league towards their sperm count. Let’s be very real with each other men, it is no longer a complication of the women but rather a problem that you need to address. Do not ignore it it is a crucial subject that you can reverse for better.

Loss of libido also makes men more unhappy about the rest of their lives than it does women.
when men lose interest in sex it scares them more than women -- their masculinity is so linked to their sexuality that it is very threatening.Testosterone is an essential hormone found in both sexes, but it is primarily a male hormone. It is not only responsible for sexual appetite, but also improves skin and bone health. For males, testosterone drops after the age of 30. In today's Kenyan men the testosterone levels drop as early as the age of 25.

Lets face it, its no longer the fault of the woman that she does not get pregnant....as a nutritionist i would like to give a few tips on how to maintain the sexual drive from the time you get engaged through to your marriage.
To increase the level of testosterone in the body you need to improve on the intake of some foods whether a bachelor or when married. Remember, testosterone is valuable component of digestion in the man's body. If the man has depleted levels then he excessively adds on weight. In the marriage, he utilizes the testosterone in larger amounts than before. Through sex and also needs it for digestion. So once it gets too depleted, it has to be replaced somehow! Not with drugs I say, but check out these foods.

Pumpkin and Watermelon seeds
These have a high component of zinc which if incorporated consistently in meals improves the digestion through increase of production of testosterone hormone due to their zinc specialty. If you feel eating them upfront is difficult, they can be incorporated into pudding as for watermelon seeds and into soups for the pumpkins.


Beans
Surprisingly, beans have got a certain capacity of zinc that improves the levels of testosterone.Unfortunately for m,en some of them do not like consuming the beans. If not you could try pumpkin seeds. Eat pumpkin seeds, the very best dietary source of wholly natural zinc. Don't consume fresh seeds obtained from hollowing out a whole pumpkin though, as aside from the fact that this is expensive and inconvenient to do, dry seeds taste far more palatable. Buy packs of dried pumpkin seeds from specialist health food stores.

Bananas
Bananas contain the bromelain enzyme, which is believed to increase libido and reverse impotence in men. Additionally, they are good sources of potassium and B vitamins like riboflavin, which increase the body's overall energy levels.


Avocado
avocados indeed contain high levels of folic acid, which helps metabolize proteins, thus giving you more energy. They also contain vitamin B6 (a nutrient that increases male hormone production) and potassium (which helps regulate a woman's thyroid gland), two elements that help increase libido in both men and women.
Eggs
Although they should be eaten sparingly,they contain vitamin B6 and B5. These help balance hormone levels and fight stress, two things that are crucial to a healthy libido. Eggs are also a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Some people will eat raw chicken eggs just prior to sex to increase libido and maximize energy levels. But all bird and fish eggs contain B6 and B5. Whenever you eat eggs always remove the yolk and eat the egg white to ensure that you lower down the levels of cholesterol.
Garlic
Yes, you might need to stock up on some extra breath mints, but it'll be worth it. Garlic contains allicin, an ingredient that increases blood flow to the sexual organs. As such, it's a highly effective herb to help increase libido. If the odor just won't work for you -- or you can't stand garlic try eating it in food.

Liver
A good source of glut-amine -- a cellular fuel for your immune system -- liver may indeed increase a slowed-down libido.

These are just some few of my thoughts of which you can feel free to comment.

Nduta
nutrition counselor