Audrey Hepburn: Malnutrition & A Career Outcome

Audrey Hepburn would have been a prima ballerina and not an actor, had it not been for her nutritional status and her height-5'7", tad tall for a ballet dancer. Here`s what happened.

A five year old Hepburn started training in ballet in England,  in 1934. The World War II started in 1939, with Germany attacking Poland and  later, England declaring war on Germany. Audrey, then all of ten, was sent to live in a neutral nation-Holland, with her mother Ella. Peace was short lived as Germany attacked Holland in 1940 and from then on started Audrey`s and her family`s struggle to cope with meager food supplies.

Remember my post on Scorched Earth policy, where food crops are destroyed by the defending country, in an attempt to starve the attacking enemy army? Well, the enemy too can starve a country they have chosen to attack. And, this is done by laying a siege, which includes stopping movement of all essential commodities like food, into the target nation. By 1944, Germans obstructed food imports to Holland, causing it to reel under the 'Hunger Winter'. People starved to death and Hepburn and her mother were amongst those who survived eating bread made of tulip flour.

The war ended in 1945, but it left sixteen year old Hepburn anemic, asthmatic and malnourished. Hepburn quoted in an interview with Jessica Seigel of the Chicago Tribune, that when relief trucks brought in food at the end of the war, she fell sick by just putting more sugar on her oatmeal.

To continue, post-war Hepburn trained for three years in ballet, under a famous teacher in Amsterdam. She then left for London, under a dance scholarship to study under one of the worlds best ballet teachers, Marie Rambert. Audrey and her mother hoped that Rambert would be the one to give form to her dream of becoming a prima ballerina, but this was not to be. A nineteen year old Hepburn was told that she will never be a prima ballerina because of her war resulted poor state of nutrition.

Post this disappointment, Hepburn experimented with cabaret and Broadway, the latter leading to her debut as Princess Anne in Roman Holiday (1953).

Ballet is a strenuous dance form and many professional dancers fade out  at a young age owing to chronic injuries. What was it about Audreys nutritional status which was poor, is not recorded anywhere. Was it chronic anemia leading to premature fatigue while dancing? Was it poor bone health, which prevented her from maintaining en pointe for prolonged time periods. All are my non-evidence based guesses. 

The deprivation which war brings is terrible and in this case, it also affected an individuals career outcome. So what if Hepburn had an immensely successful run at Hollywood? Being an actor was not her first choice. It was an alternative career path and alternatives can never be a first choice. And, nutrition played a part in this career-destiny game of Audrey Hepburns life. Amazing. 

Till date, I have seen only two of Hepburns films and  that too in grade three. She didnt impact me as much as Julie Andrews did after watching The Sound of Music (1965). But now, I really dont care about Audrey Hepburns talent as an actor or her legendary charm. I know here was a lady who endured hunger, pain and fear, and survived, and that attracts me. Audrey Hepburn passed away on 20th Jan 1993, at a young age of sixty three, after suffering from colon cancer. A life lived gracefully.

If you liked this post, you might also like Nutrition Is A Wartime Weapon-Scorched Earth Policy

This post was chosen by Guy Kawasaki, Ex-Chief Evangelist, Apple, for his international online paper called "Guy`s Daily Paper".  Know more about it on my other blog Raksha-Media or go to Guy`s Daily Paper   

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What Does Nutrition Mean?

The word `nutrition' doesnt only mean `nutritious food' e.g. dal khichdi or that bowl of curd or a fruit.

Its also "the act or process of nourishing".

Example: A mother feeding her toddler a meal, is a process of nourishing, and is nutrition.

Its also "the act or process of being nourished".

Example: You drinking tea, is nutrition. Or, if you were the toddler from above example, you are being nourished. And, thats nutrition.

And, its also the "sum of the processes by which a person takes in (eats) and utilizes (within his body) food"

Example: You break that bread or chapatti, dip it into salsa or curry and eat it. This is nutrition. And, the bread or chapati undergoes myriad metabolic processes in your body, to convert itself into a form suitable for use by your body and is then put to use by your body. This is nutrition.

I personally feel, even the act of choosing and then buying food from a supermarket or the neighbourhood grocer is 'nutrition'.

Nutrition is thus omnipresent in your life, its that cake from your colleagues birthday party, that warm movie hall popcorn, that hot cup of tea which makes you happy, the gum you chewed when you were bored, the beer you guzzled during a weekend, that antacid you chewed on post a  food binge, that bottle of water in your car, that fizzy drink in your refrigerator... Speak of influence!

This omnipresent nutrition can be further bifurcated as 'good' nutrition and 'poor or bad' nutrition. This is a very important difference. Something which will make or mar your health, as knowing what qualifies as 'good nutrition' helps one chose a healthier food from amongst the many available in this world. So the word 'nutrition' doesnt automatically mean 'good nutrition'. It becomes 'good' only if you know what to eat (or feed). Until next time, see where all you can spot 'nutrition' in a typical day.

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Slack Fill: The Air In Your Potato Chip Packet Affects Your Wallet

Ripping open a fat packet of potato chips sure is fun. The fun is not only in the realization that your favorite snack is only a fingers length away, but also due to the momentary thrill of deflating the air filled packet. Kinda similar to bursting bubbles on a bubble wrap.

Have you observed that your fingers have to travel some distance before they make contact with the chips and very few chips, if I may add. Infact, bigger the packet, the more time it takes for your fingers to locate the chips. And, have you ever thought, `Gosh! that packet sure looked like it had more chips before I opened it’. Or, maybe by now you have got so accustomed to paying money to eat air, that it doesnt matter no more.

So, why is your snack packet filled with air in the first place?

The air filled into packets of processed food serves as what is known as a slack fill. Slack fill is the difference between the actual capacity of a packet and the volume of product contained in it. In other words, slack fill is the empty space.

Right from your tetra pak fruit juices, to your cans of aerated drinks, to packets of cornflakes or savouries or pouches of ready to eat meals, slack fill is everywhere. What makes slack fill good or bad in these cases, depends on just how much of it is present.

When is slack fill good (read: legal)?

The law in many countries says that manufacturers can use slack fill if its `functional’, that is, if it allows the manufacturers to protect their product (e.g. potato chips, biscuits, cookies) from damage, or, if the packaging machinery requires existence of such a space to be effective and so on.

Its bad when..

The law also says that `non-functional slack fill’ is not allowed. That is, no manufacturer should leave empty space in their packaging, if its not meant to serve any purpose. But, how many manufacturers will actually admit that the empty space in their packaging do not have a purpose? Any argument would take the proverbial packet is half full (they will say) vs the packet is half empty (you will say) route.

Best part, its routinely used in opaque food packets or packets which dont let you see the inner contents. Rather convenient, I think. Sure its needed to preserve/protect the contents and has some other genuine functions as well, but how does a layperson know whether the air he just purchased along with his food, served any purpose at all and whether all that air was needed in the first place? So you see, slack fill can and is misused.

Some manufacturers use it as an excuse to deliver small food volumes in big (air filled) packets. Apart  from giving you less food product for your money, the fat air filled packets also consume lots of space during transportation (and, guess who will bear the cost of the two freight trucks when just one was enough?) making the product more expensive. Bigger packets (to accommodate more air and give an impression of big size) also use more non-biodegradable packing material and burden the environment.

All in all, slack fill surely is one of those pins which bursts our rights as a customer and as a human being on this planet.

If you liked this post, you might also like Your Herbal Tea May Not Be...Well, Herbal!

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The Pee Chart

Yes, it is what it sounds. A chart about pee aka urine. Why on earth would anyone want to create, leave alone look at something like a 'Pee Chart' is what most of you are probably thinking.

Professional sportspersons not only look at it but also take it seriously, as their performance in their chosen sport depends on how hydrated they are. Optimum hydration (euhydration) means optimum performance in competitive or recreational sports, and dehydration spells disaster.

The Pee Chart is also called Urine Color Chart, and comprises of bands. Each band is numbered and is of a different color. And, each color corresponds to a particular stage in the transition between hydration and dehydration.

For instance, band numbers 1, 2 and 3 indicate optimum hydration. Bands 4, 5, 6 indicate a diminishing hydration status (you should consume fluids at this stage). And, band numbers 7 and 8 indicate a confirmed dehydration (errr...you should not have waited so long), calling for urgent corrective measures e.g. drinking water, juices, or an electrolyte based drink. Remember urine color gets affected few hours post-supplement intake.

This chart is not a hydration guide for only sportspersons. It can be used by just about anybody (you, yourself and yours) to learn to assess their hydration status. Heres to staying hydrated!

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa. Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact nutrewise@yahoo.com

Nutrition & Children With Special Needs

A child with a special need or a special child, is someone who has a physical, mental, physiological or developmental disorder and because of this, has certain needs which are different from his peers. These needs are termed `special' as they are essential to make the child lead a normal life e.g. A child born with a dysfunctional heart may have special  medical needs through his life, which another child of the same age may not.  Similarly, a child with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) has a special need for a school environment which caters to his particular challenge.

The above two examples are just a glimpse of what a `special need' can be. Special needs is a vast field and includes conditions like Autism, Downs syndrome, mental retardation, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, deafness, visual impairments.

How does nutrition help a child with a special need?

A diet will not help cure a special need, but diet counselling by a specialist dietitian will help the parents of the special child to (amongst other things):

a) manage feeding, one of the biggest challenges with some special needs children eg children with mental retardation,

b) ensure that the childs diet is suitable for his special need eg children with phenylketonuria need low phenylalanine diets,

c) ensure that the childs special need does not interfere with him getting adequate nutrition eg children with dysphagia are unable to eat enough to meet their nutrition needs,

d) follow diets which alleviate symptoms of some special needs eg ketogenic diets help manage symptoms of drug resistant pediatric epilepsy,

In my own practice, I have helped children with dysphagia (swallowing difficulty) by modifying their diet to overcome this hurdle. Have helped parents of children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder)  better manage their childs restlessness at meal times, ensuring a more peaceful eating session. Just a few examples!

Until next time, have a restful Sunday!

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa. Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

The Dessert Dilemma

A Fistful Of Nutrition Post #4:

A peril of eating out is that you are mostly likely to succumb to the waiters cajoling and order their `best' dessert. Eating out per se, makes you consume extra calories. Add a dessert to it and what you have are hundreds of calories your body doesnt require. What can you do?

1. Under eat during the main meal i.e leave some space in your belly, for that dessert which you know, you will surely have.

2. Be large hearted and share i.e order one dessert and split it with everyone on the table. Works if you have understanding meal companions. If eating alone, or with people who will brand you as a miser, implement tip 1.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa. Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

Why No One Can Eat Just One Potato Chip

A Fistful Of Nutrition Post #3:

Wondered why you really cannot, EVER, eat just one potato chip? The fat* in potato chips and French fries may trigger the body to produce natural marijuana like chemicals called endocannabinoids. These chemicals in turn make all fatty foods irresistible and kick start a biological mechanism that encourages eating more.

*Since potato chips/French fries are deep fried. Otherwise, potato in its raw form has a negligible fat content, 0.1 g per 100 g to be precise. Also, the endocannabinoid theory is said to apply to all foods rich in visible or invisible fat.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

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Alcohol and Football

A Fistful Of Nutrition Post #2:

Its common in team sports to celebrate wins by consuming a few drinks. Alcohol unfortunately is a diuretic i.e. it increases urinary output. This in turn slows down the important process of rehydration or replenishing of the body`s water stores, which is so vital to any sports person.

Thus, post-match its vital that a footballer should rehydrate with water or sports drinks. This should be followed by `refueling' using high carbohydrate foods and only then, should he consume any alcoholic beverage and that too, in moderation.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa. Contents of this blog post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

All Ye Men! Measure Thy Waist Now!

A Fistful Of Nutrition Post #1:

 

Men pile on abdominal or belly fat, more easily due to the hormone testosterone. An increased abdominal girth is one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in men. So if your waist measures more than 40 inches, its time to trim it down and soon.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

Contents of this blog  post (excluding images) are the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

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Introducing! A Fistful Of Nutrition

Introducing a new section in the Nutrition Omnibus. Its called A Fistful Of Nutrition and you can find it under Post Categories by the same name.

Locate Post Categories on this blog--> Post Categories are in alphabetical order--> Scroll Post Categories till you find the broad category (in this case, A fistful of nutrition).

A Fistful of Nutrition, contains nutrition and diet related information restricted to a paragraph. For those of you who like reading only... a paragraph :)

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A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

Multiplex Nutrition Alert: A Movie Trip May Derail Your Diet

You have to agree that for most of us, the 2-3 hours spent in a movie hall are no fun if we dont have a loaded snack tray on our lap. After all, sitting in one place for hours is hard work and we need sustenance.  Such is the profound influence of nutrition on any social occasion, that taking away the nutrition element takes away most of the fun. Example: Would it be a fun movie experience without popcorn and a fizzy drink? No. And, thats the point I am usually also trying to convey through this blog i.e. the far reaching influence of nutrition.

Coming back to movie halls AND snack trays, halls which are part of a multiplex never disappoint when it comes to dishing out select 'movie time' snacks. Here`s a low down on the Top-5  Popular Multiplex food and what they do to your health-

1. Popcorn- For me movies are synonymous with the smell of popcorn and watching a film without an overflowing popcorn tub (tightly gripped, mind you), almost borders on sacrilegious.  Then, why dont multiplexes give customers more healthy options when it comes to the iconic movie snack?

Movie hall popcorn is usually popped in oil and not air popped.  It can be, but its not. Thus, depending on the type of oil or fat being used, your body will get a good helping of saturated or trans fat (heart unhealthy fats). Opting for buttered popcorn over plain, further brings in more saturated fat into your arteries. As if this were not enough, the high levels of salt in the popcorn spike your blood pressure. Go easy on the salt for once Mister Multiplex Snack Vendor. Oh, for air popped, sanely salted, unbuttered, movie hall popcorn.

2. Carbonated a.k.a Soft Drinks or Soda Pop- The popcorn does its job of making you thirsty pretty well (why do you think its made very salty?). So, now you load up on a soft drink like some cola. Whats a soft drink? Just carbonated water (water to which carbon dioxide gas is added), flavour, sugar and calories. Remember, the calories in a soft drink are not accompanied by any other significant nutrient and are hence termed as `empty calories'. Apart from the temporary thirst quenching abilities, these aerated drinks are nutritionally a  'nothing' and still so popular. I wonder why some people drink them by the gallons. Just like I wonder about a terrible film which manages to become a hit.

3. Packaged Potato Chips- Possess enough calories (because they are deep fried and not because of the potato) and salt to undo a days worth of controlled eating. Branded ones may be saturated and trans fat free because of food regulations, but you will still have to check the `Nutrition Panel' or the `Ingredients' section on the pack to be sure. Cant say the same for unbranded ones. Both types are however always highly salty.

4. Burger, Sandwich, Roll, Wrap- Can be low calorie (read: nice to eat) if they are made without an overload of cheese, butter, mayonnaise, deep fried filling eg deep fried vegetable cutlet and other high calorie accompaniments eg cream spread or dip.

5. Pattie, Samosa (a stuffed pastry) & Pakora (fritter)- Deep fried in an oil you will never know details about. Stuffed with a filling which may not be the most healthy. I would give it a skip.

Now that I have taken the fun out of movie snacking, would I mind telling what can one eat in a theater? No, I wont mind. So here are some options:

Beverages

- Buy a bottle of water and guzzle through the film. Even if you give into the temptation of buying a soft drink or any other `empty calorie' beverage, you will not be very thirsty and will hence not end up buying large or super sized cups/bottles/refills. A hydrated you will also not go berserk at the snack counter.

- Hot coffee or tea, with a control on the amount of sugar you add.

- Flavoured milk or soy milk is also good. The amount of flavour or sweetener used may be over the top, but its better than drinking a soft drink any day. These beverages will at least dose you with Calcium or protein and not with gas and sugar like a carbonated beverage.

- Fresh fruit juices, made then and there and with less sweetening. Keep an eye for hygiene. Packaged fruit drinks are another option but remember here you cant control how much sugar has been added. Many are saturated with sweeteners.

Eats

-Vegetable (tomato/cucumber/etc) sandwich, which doesnt have either mayonnaise/deep fried filling or excess butter/cheese.

- A vegetable wrap or roll, stuffed with a potato (non deep fried like, baked) or veg filling.

- Boiled corn (unbuttered). Roasted corn (if available).

- Chicken sandwich or roll (minus mayonnaise, deep fried fillings).

- Cut fruit or fruit salad, minus ice cream and hygienically made.

- Roasted, unsalted groundnuts, go easy on the amount though.

- Bhel puri (a snack made of puffed rice and vegetables)

I would also suggest a trip to the Food Court prior to entering a Multiplex. You will find more variety and a less ravenous you would enter the movie hall. Remember, you are definitely going to get a chance to eat once you are out of the theater. Knowing that, the least you can do is control binging while in one.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

All contents of this post, is the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

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 Movie time nutrition, Multiplex nutrition, Movie snacks, Movies, Bollywood, Hollywood

The Thin Man Aint Laughing: All About Being Underweight

I liked the name 'Thin Man' when I first heard it in the movie, Charlies Angels. The Thin Man in the film is a lean-bordering-on-thin villain. But this post is'nt about him. Its about the thin men and thin women of this world.  These are people who weigh less than normal for their height and are made to remember this fact every day of their life.


1. So, just what is thin or underweight?

One is clinically thin or underweight if her/his Body Mass Index (BMI) is below 18.5 kg/m2. In an informal context, as per the harebrained rules of 'thinness assessment'', anyone who looks more lean or thinner than majority is considered thin.

2. It must be great to be thin, everyone is trying to lose weight after all.

Its a myth that everyone in this world wants to lose weight. The aspiring young actor who came to me to gain weight didn't. Neither did the underweight lady who wanted to have a baby.  Nor did the teenage girl who was painfully shy about being very thin. All these lovely people made me speak out a lot on this subject in DNA, issue dated 28th Feb 2010

Being thin is not pleasant. Here are some things which a thin person has to battle with, in a social and emotional context,

Teasing (...silly nicknames like skinny, patlu (Hindi for thin)...)
People politely ask them if they don't eat enough.
Jokes are cracked at their expense.
They are used as an example to make children eat more (...if you don't eat your food you will become thin like THAT uncle).
They are bombarded with ridiculous weight gain tips, and more...

Being thin is not pleasant.

I know, I know, the above is quite similar in content to what an obese person has to deal with. But, don’t you know? Insensitivity is an evil which has the same thought pattern across the planet.



3. Why does anyone become underweight?

Various reasons including,

• Inadequate diet
• Excessive physical activity, not matched by an adequate diet
• Hormonal imbalance e.g. Hyperthyroidism
• Eating disorders e.g. Anorexia Nervosa
• Severe stress accompanied with symptoms like loss of appetite
• Malabsorption disorders which prevent the body from using consumed nutrients
• Wasting diseases (like cancer, AIDS) cause substantial weight loss

4. Why is being underweight unhealthy?

Just like overweight, being underweight makes an individual prone to the health problems like,

• Chronic fatigue
• Susceptibility to infections
• Reduced fertility
• Poor bone health resulting in osteoporosis and fractures
• Muscle weakness
• In women, underweight has poor pregnancy outcome e.g. Intrauterine Fetal Demise (IUFD), Low Birth Weight (LBW) infant and premature birth
• Mood fluctuations and impaired concentration

5. What should an underweight man (or, woman) NEVER do? 

Never act on weight gain tips like those given below, for they will only make you nauseated, spike your cholesterol levels, lighten your wallet, dishearten you and most importantly never help you gain weight.

•    Gorge on fried foods e.g. pakoras, bhajjis, puris, French fries, fritters
•    Binge on 6-7 eggs per day.
•    Drink at least 2 liters of milk daily
•    Eat almonds. 24/7.
•    Consume plenty of ghee, butter, cheese, lard, mayonnaise, margarine. Well, anything `fat'.
•    Consume a protein supplement.
•    Eat more, more, more.
•    Drink/eat some unpleasant `natural’ medicine.

Most of the above weight gain tips are based on the absurd notion that to gain weight one has to do the OPPOSITE of what it takes to lose weight. This is absolutely wrong and has no basis in nutrition science. 

These tips also focus only on eating only one type of high calorie food and in large amounts. Big mistake, as one cannot just start eating a high calorie food (like ghee, butter, margarine) in substantial amounts without knowing if the calories being provided to you are `healthy' i.e. dont leave you with another problem like high blood cholesterol.

I insist, `Please don't try these stunts at home’. Going on an unsupervised self-diet, for any condition is similar to self-medication (when you pop pills without consulting a doctor). Its unhealthy and can be dangerous.

6. What should an underweight individual do?
Making an individual gain weight is something best left to a qualified (ideally with Bachelors or Masters degree in Nutrition or Dietetics) dietitian. 

Weight gain using diet alone is very much possible and can be done. However the individual should have no other health problems which interfere with the weight gain process. The procedure involves application of dietetics principles for creating a positive energy balance, which includes- consumption of foods which aid in increasing your caloric intake and yet, don't deviate you from a balanced diet.

So there you go, everything about being underweight. The diet plan?

For that you need to contact me :)

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All contents of this post, is the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. 

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Diet plan for underweight, I am underweight, Underweight-The stigma, What is underweight 

Weight Related Bullying & Bullycide

Bill Watterson the creator of Calvin & Hobbes describes Moe, a school bully character from his comic strip as "The big, dumb and ugly school bully". While this aptly describes a comic-strip bully, it doesnt completely profile a real-life school bully your child may bump into.  Flesh and blood school bullies come in all sizes, belong to either gender, can be popular kids at school and may never look the part of a sneering, frothing at the mouth bully.

When unrestrained by some factor of control eg disciplinary actions, a bully with his bullying may drive the victim to give up his life. And, this is Bullycide. Neil Marr and Tim Field first coined the word in their book, `Bullycide: Death at Playtime".  A very serious problem affecting schools and workplaces worldwide, victims of bullycide are not only children and teens, but even adults.

Must confess, the word 'bullycide’ to me implies suicide committed by the bully, but Marr and Field coined it not for appropriateness but effectiveness (perhaps).

Bullying has many shades to it. People get bullied if they look different, speak different, walk different, come from a different country and at times...for no reason. One type, namely, weight related bullying is one of the major causes of bullycide and I want to address the issue as applicable to children.

Weight Related Bullying In Children

Bullying where the victims are picked on because they are overweight or obese or thin, is weight related bullying.

What It Involves

Any type of bullying always involves the following elements: 

- intentional, and largely unprovoked efforts to harm the victim

- physical or verbal assaults directed towards the victim, including those which are direct or indirect  in nature

- repeated negative actions by one or more persons, against the victim

Its Effects

Children are very impressionable and being teased about their weight constantly, that too in places where they need to feel secure (like home or school), creates a negative body image and lowers self esteem. Victims often feel sad, depressed, lonely, alienated, ostracized, angry, powerless, anxious and fearful, and this leads to long term psychological, emotional and social problems.  

Can You Spot The Bully?

Unfortunately you may not be able to. A bully in your childs life can be just about anyone, a classmate, schoolmates, a teacher, the bus driver. Closer home, the neighbourhood children, the nanny, a relative or even a sibling.

You May Never Know, Until Its Too Late...

...because your child will never tell you. Why? Fear of retribution by the bully, shunning by classmates or social isolation, shame, etc will all force a child to keep mum. So its your job to watch out for signs.

Symptoms Of Being Bullied Include

Reluctance to go to school or to a particular persons place, crying bouts, unexplained fear, questions on his or her weight being appropriate in your eyes or the society`s or questions on being thin or overweight.

Take Action And FAST

Ask your child if someone is teasing him about his weight either at home or at school.

If its at home, then you will need to speak to the perpetrator on the home front and get it to end. Immediately.

If its at school, then address the school authorities and the parents of the bully, to put an immediate stop.

Note--You may need follow ups and monitoring of the situation to ensure that it did stop. Bullies may lie low for a while, only to restart more aggressively when the situation cools.

What Bullying Is Not

Bullying is not acceptable. Its not the norm. Its not the done thing. Your child doesnt have to undergo it because you did or because you feel it will make him `tougher'. Ideas like bullying happens to `weak' individuals, its an acceptable social rite, victims need to stop whining and grow up etc, are sheer rubbish.

The Bully Is Weaker

The bully is the weakling as its (s)he who constantly feels the need to assert his/her power. Unfortunately, inaction or delayed action on your part or the schools, strengthens the act of bullying and lets a bully, a sociopath, get away.

Dont think of bullying as part and parcel of childhood, it should not be and its not. And, bullying doesnt have to always end in bullycide, to be taken seriously. The fact that it kills a childhood is enough.

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

All contents of this post, is the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact info@rakshachangappa.com

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Weight related bullying, Bullycide, Bullying in schools, Is my child being bullied? My child is being bullied because he is obese.

La Tomatina, Bangalore. Insane? Yes. Fun? No.

The Birthplace Of La Tomatina Festival

Bunol, Spain, is where the La Tomatina festival originated and is annually held. A small town with an area of 112 sq km and a population of 9000, who earn their living via local industries and agriculture. The reason this festival is hyped across Spain is because its a tourist magnet, attracting more than 30,000 annually to Bunol and fetching much needed revenue for this sleepy town.

Is It Relevant To Bangalore?

Bangalore. Population close to a crore and area, 700+ sq km. A city which as of 2009, is officially an alpha or world city (a specialized city considered to be an important node point in the global economic system). In the very large scheme of things, Bangalore has no burning need to attract revenue bringing tourists via tomato throwing fests. Yet, Bangaloreans are having La Tomatina  festival next month. And, its just for fun. And, there will be a tomato filled pool. You see, there is an overwhelming need in cosmopolitan cities to be "fun", "hip" and to "fit in" and one can be fun-hip-and-fitting-in only when one marinates in a pool filled with  stinging tomato mush.

Copy Kat City

Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar et al, looked fun-hip playing with tomato puree in  the film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011) and Bangaloreans just have to emulate it.  We arent a `world' city for nothing. The trio however were paid to endure the smarting tomato juice, but Bengalurians will pay upto Rs 4999/-  to endure the blistering, stinging, acidic, tomato juice. Why? Oh, I know. Its hip.

The Naysayers

A bunch of Bangaloreans are criticizing the event, quoting reasons like "India is a country where millions go hungry, so wasting food is inappropriate". I agree with them, but their reason is not the only reason why I think this local festival is in bad taste.

The Ayes

The festival organizers defense goes like this, "Are these (anti-tomatina) people not using their cars because petrol is expensive? Are they living in huts because millions in Indians are poor?". They also said, " We are using inedible (?) tomatoes and this will benefit farmers as we are buying tons of tomatoes from them". Smart answers y`all. This  rebuttal is accompanied by quite a few pro-Tomatinas who think that the anti`s are over reacting. Some pros are also coming up with reasons like, "Its our money to spend as we like", "Food is rotting in granaries across the country", "People are jealous of us having a good time", "Its not hurting anyone" and most common reason being "The organizers said they are using rotten tomatoes not edible ones".

You know, food rotting in granaries across the country is not widely publicized as 'fun'. So even though its rotting, the shame of the wastage is not being trivialized. As far as "our money, we shall spend" goes, when Western designers embossed images of Hindu deities on inner wear and sold it for money, sure it is the designers money and sure it is the buyers money to buy what he likes, but people raged across India...why? Because their religious sentiment was hurt. Food is a sentiment too. How? Read on...

Oh about "jealous" and "not hurting anyone". Please come up with a better defense. Finally, the favorite excuse about 'rotten' tomatoes being used in the festival. I find it very tough to believe that any person or couple who has paid up to Rs 4999 for an entry into this festival, will really, truly and happily, hold a rotting and therefore-smelly, putrid, discolored, tomato, and throw it on one another. As  people who have paid and thus as customers, common sense dictates that they demand their moneys worth of fresh, well rounded, cheery red tomatoes. And, this is what they will do. If they dont and are happy throwing the rotten and  thus, decomposing and partially fermented tomatoes on each other, then God bless them. But, this is still not the reason why I think this festival is not in good order.

Why I think this local tomato fest is inappropriate

Many things in this world are important not only because of statistics (eg 100 tonnes of grain rotted in a warehouse or a million Indians sleep hungry) and inspite of clever rebuttals (eg we are using only rotten tomatoes), but because they are symbolic of something.

Food in one such thing and what its symbolic of is:
- blood (every cut which a daily wage earner endures to earn his bread, or people getting killed during food riots in times of food shortages eg famine)
- sweat (of every person who works hard to earn his living)
- tears (when you are oh so hungry and angry because your lunch is late, or tears of the hungry destitute child)
- hunger, anger and frustration (of the starving, or even that of a teen refusing his meal because he is denied a late night out)
- power  (when Food is a weapon, or when its hoarded, or black marketed)
- a mother, the nourisher
- God (Annapoorna the Hindu goddess of nourishment, or the Roman catholic faith in which the wine and bread taken during communion is considered as the real blood, body, divinity and soul of Christ)

So you see, symbolism is always often pure sentiments and raw emotions. Symbolism is why we consider it a sin to tread on currency (money) or spit in front of an image of a revered being.

Many quoted statistics in Anna Hazares case and pooh-poohed "Oh, just few lakh people on the roads supporting Anna, is not India". These pooh-pooh-ers didnt understand that "just few lakh people" were very powerful. Why? Because they were bonded by a common sentiment and driven by a primitive instinct (which in this case was the innate instinct which says-no, this something XYZ has to stop). Food is also a common sentiment and a primitive instinct and thus, very powerful.

Within India, wherever I went as an army-kid, I have seen food being respected, religion not withstanding. People pray to and for good crops, they pray prior to their meals, they ask for divine forgiveness if food is spilt or wasted. People extend food to their God, because its considered one of the ultimate offerings. People fast or abstain from food, in honor of their God (eg Ramzan, Navratri) or their cause (eg  Bhagat Singh, Anna Hazare), or if they think its going to do them or their loved ones good.  People donate food or feed the hungry because its considered one of the kindest of acts. These are just some examples of the power and significance of food. And, to think of it being thrown around, stepped on and squelched, just for 'fun'? Isnt it a shame?

But the most important point is this, phrases like "Earning ones bread and butter", "Roti, kapda, makaan", "Paapi pet ka sawaal hai"  and more, show beyond doubt that majority have to work to earn their roti or bread.  They have to sweat it out. Even the worlds wealthiest, in spite of the assurance that they may never starve, need to eat, to live.

I am sure even this event was organized, with an aim of being profitable and it is thus very much a part of the organizers- job/employment/attempt to earn sustenance. Yet, this same event is insulting the instinct and emotion, which makes every soul in this world trudge to work daily, endure a sadistic boss, work overtime, suffer bad traffic...which is to earn ones sustenance or "roz ki roti".

To conclude, a request, "Will someone, anyone, hand me a rotten tomato?".

 

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The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa

All contents of this post, is the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not,  no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously. For queries contact founder@nutrewise.com

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La Tomatina Bangalore, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bunol-Spain, La Tomatina Bangalore Insane, Katrina Kaif Tomato Festival

What is a Size Zero? How to be a Size Zero? The Myth. The Truth. The Stupidity.

"I'm just 2 kilos away from being a Size Zero!". This excited and high decibel declaration was by my client. It was a tele-follow up of her diet plan and this is what she rained on my unsuspecting ears, all the way from Delhi, India.

Worldwide over 70 million lives (women and men) suffer from a clinically significant Eating Disorder (ED) including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or a binge eating disorder, as the societal pressures to become thin remain rampant. 

Coming back to my client, I decided I could spare some time and tell her what every woman should know about the term "Size Zero", so I did. And here is our conversation modified and edited for general consumption.

1. How much weight should I lose to become a Size Zero?

Weight loss has nothing to do with being a Size Zero. One can lose all the weight one wants and yet probably never ever be a Size Zero. 

How? 

This brings us to the next question. 

2. What's a Size Zero?

A Size Zero is not a a particular weight in kilograms or pounds that one has to weigh to attain the perfect weight for your height. A Size Zero is a dress size with a predetermined set of bust-waist-hip measurements. Hence, unless you get these measurements, you can lose all the weight you want, but you will never be a Size Zero. Depending on the clothing brand, a woman who fits into a dress with a Size 0 would typically have a bust-waist-hip measurement of 30"-22"-32" or 33"-25"-35". 

3. Its Origins

The Size Zero was introduced by designers to overcome the effects of Size Inflation, the phenomenon of ready to wear clothing of the same nominal size becoming larger over time e.g. a dress labelled as a size Small (S) of current times, is much bigger than a Small (S) sized dress of say a decade back. 

Simply put, clothing manufacturers are gradually making the existing Large (L), Medium (M) and Small (S) range of sizes, way bigger. So a lady who would have counted as a size Medium (M) a decade back, can now fit into a dress labelled as Small (S) (since its bigger than the Size (S) of yore).This practice makes a customer feel happier with herself and her body and her purchase, resulting in guaranteed future sales for the brand.

However, increasing the size of a size Small (S) dress to please a customer conflicts with the needs of the runway and the fashion industry. So variants of the size Small (S) were introduced like Size 00, Size 0, XS, or XXS, to offset the effects of Size Inflation. 

As evident, this need to create a smaller clothing sizes which look good on runways lead to creation of slim yet dysfunctional sizes and Size Zero is one such dysfunctional clothing size.

Why dysfunctional? 

Its not dysfunctional to be a healthy adult woman who is a natural Size Zero but its dysfunctional if you are a healthy adult woman who is naturally a Size Ten, but will do anything, and I mean, anything to be a Size Zero.

4. A Size Zero is also used for grading women's dresses in the US Catalog Sizes system

The US Catalog Sizes system, has dress sizes like Size 00, Size 0, Size 1, Size 2, Size 3, Size 4 and so on. Each dress size has a particular bust-waist-hip measurement in inches.

Size 0 in the US catalog is categorized under Misses’ sizes (ASTM D5585 11e1) (2011). Click on this link to see the US Catalog Sizes charts and corresponds to a woman with a bust-waist-hip measurements (curvy) of approx. 31"-24"-34".

Notice the catalog has a Size 00 as well. Its smaller than a Size 0 and no one is talking about it, yet. Thank God.

A Size Zero Model

5. If a Size Zero dress size exists in an American clothing catalog, doesn’t it mean American women are buying it and hence fitting into it?

Reality check. The USA is amongst the worlds top 10 fattest nations. Its spiraling obesity rate is giving nightmares to its policy makers. A Size Zero is not widespread in American (Caucasian) women and they find it just as difficult to transform into one from their natural body size, as would any other woman on this planet. 

Now all the women who want to spiral down many dress sizes from their natural one, to a Size Zero, and are willing to go to great lengths for it, say this three times,

 "Size Zero is a dress size. Size Zero is just a set of measurements. An average 8 year old girl across the world has a waist size greater than 22 inches and I am not 8". Read US Size Charts for girls aged between 7-14 years of age at US Children's Size Chart

6.  Are all super slim women a Size Zero?

All super slim women are not by default a Size Zero, as they need to get all three (bust-waist-hip) measurements right to qualify.

7. Isn't Size Zero "international" and "fashionable"?

Size Zero is considered as "international" because of the much condemned practice of preferring Size Zero models to walk on international (fashion) runways.

Across the world the glorifying of Size Zero is subject to harsh criticism as its symbolizes the unattainable and often unnatural body measurements for an average adult woman who is a different (read: bigger) size.  

Many Size Zero models seen on international fashion runways are often mere teenagers; reason? Its easy to find twiggy, lean, teenagers whose still developing adolescent body confirms to the Size Zero measurements. At least, while they are in their teens.

Size Zero models are being banned across some fashion runways and being discouraged across many.  

Is being banned from fashion runways "fashionable"? 

No! When the world is waking up to the literal ugliness (many adult models who have dieted their way to being a Size 0 have collapsed and died due to malnourishment) of forcing a woman to be a Size Zero, isn't it time you did?



8. Size Zero and the Movies

I smile every time I see a busty or solidly hip-boned, but slim actress, whether in Hollywood or Bollywood (the Indian film industry) claim “I am now a Size Zero”. Its amazing what all one can say when one knows minus zero (or less than zero) about a subject. 

So why do they say they are a Size Zero? They say because of ignorance of what Size 0 actually is or looks like. They say because of their profession compels them to be ‘with the times’ and  mouth whatever sounds trendy. Besides, they know that no one is ever going to even think of measuring them in order to validate their claim. Its easy to lie when its one lie which will never get busted.

9. Size Zero and the Media

A public personality, say an actor's, unverified claims of being a Size Zero are made to go viral by the media, sensationalized, and super hyped, creating images of an unreal and unattainable body size in the  minds of the general public.  

And, the vast majority of the media just doesn’t know better than the personality herself. 

Why, just recently a seasoned fourth estate friend of mine said, “Size Zero is when one weighs between 45 kilos to 50 kilos”.

10. Can any woman ever be a Size Zero?

If you are an adult woman in the age group of say 18-55 years and are usually a Size 12 or Size 14 (Per Catalog Dress Sizes for 2011) all your life, being a Size 0 is a piece of cake. All you have to do is fulfill any one or preferably more, of the following criteria: 

-- Go back to being 8 or 13 years old: How else will you get the Size Zero bust-waist-hip measurements of 31"-23"-33", when you are naturally a Size 14? 

--- Possess the Ectomorph body type: Some women are born with this body type. Characteristics of this body type include a narrow chest and abdomen, low body muscle, and fat. Its such body types who may qualify as a Size Zero sometimes, but its again subject to the body measurements falling into place. Note: Before you start craving to be reborn as an ectomorph, do understand that most ectomorphs dont have it easy. They may suffer from problems like menstrual irregularities, infertility, weak immunity, underweight. 

--- Be underweight: That is, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of less than 18.5 kg/m2 for various reasons and you might attain Size Zero measurements.

--- Go under the knife: Yes, bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery, though meant for the morbidly obese (BMI greater than 40 kg/m2) can be misused by normal weight individuals to lose weight, even when not necessary, resulting in extreme weight loss. But, even this wont help all become a size zero because as I said before, its the measurements!

To conclude...

Please understand the BMI (body mass index) is one of the internationally approved way of deciding if you are overweight, or obese, or underweight. 

If your BMI is between 18.5-23.0 kg/m2 (for Asians), and 18.5-24.0 kg/m2 (for rest of the world) then there is nothing to worry, you are the right weight for your height. And, that's your perfect size. 

Note: This post is against the practice of using drastic means like chronic dieting, fasting or surgery, to attain a Size Zero. Its against the select glorifying of only this particular body size, the hype behind it, and the misconceptions. Its against the pressure on women to attain it and the damage they wreck on themselves in the process. Its not against women who are born a Size Zero i.e. possessing a naturally ectomorphic body build or the chronically underweight. Read my post on the stress of being underweight here http://raksha-changappa.blogspot.in/2011/09/thin-man-aint-laughing-all-about-being.html

My Detailed Profile | My Website | Linkedin | Media

The Nutrition Omnibus and A Fistful of Nutrition © Raksha Changappa. All contents of this post, is the exclusive copyright and intellectual property (IP) of Raksha Changappa. This post is solely for knowledge and information of the reader. If you want to use the post contents, kindly do so by acknowledging the source, namely this blog and the author, via hyperlinks or credits. If not, no content will be copied, reproduced, republished, transmitted or distributed, in any form or means, including print and electronic media. Copyright and IP infringements will be taken seriously.