Why Nutrition?
Imagine sustaining a livelihood while being deprived of food. Impossible, right? That says enough about the magnitude of dependence we have on food and everything that constitutes food— Nutrition. In simple terms, nutrition is the substance present in food that is essential for our existence. Basically, “a life-giver”. We all know that nutrition is all that is responsible for our social, physiological, and psychological well-being. Apart from providing energy, building our body, protecting us from wear and tear, nutrition also regulates our body processes, increases the longevity of our life, helps us lead a healthier, disease-free life, and many more.
Health Status of Women in India
According to various sources, the nutritional status of women in India has been on a constant downfall. There are various cultural and traditional practices prevalent that end up making women vulnerable and susceptible to poor health followed by various lifestyle disorders and other acute diseases. Studies have shown that in less developed countries, almost 120 billion women suffer from malnutrition. In Indian rural areas, the dietary intake of pregnant women has been found lower than the recommended level. Along with this, the quality of life sustained by a woman in India is much poorer than men. What do you think it all comes down to?
Why do Women Need Extra Care?
As a society, we are not alienated from the alleged disproportionate status of women when it comes to basic needs. There are a plethora of factors that contribute to the inadequate health status of women in comparison with men. Some of these factors include early marriage, early childbearing, poor environmental hygiene, low levels of education, fewer opportunities, various social and cultural influences, illiteracy, inadequate health service, the reproductive years, and several more.
How can adequate Nutrition help a woman?
Women have varying nutritional needs at different stages of the life cycle. Clearly, women tend to cross more life processes across their spans, such as menstruation and reproduction. In this context, improvement of nutritional intake in young and adolescent girls should be prioritized from an early stage to prevent health problems in later life. Following are some of how consuming a nutritionally balanced diet can help.
1. Carbohydrates: As we know, most women manage their work and households all the same time, which makes their lives relatively tiresome. For this reason, women need to consume adequate carbohydrates in their diet. They provide energy, roughage, help in detoxification, improve metabolism, and hence keep the engine working! Some sources include cereals, grains, roots, fruits, and vegetables.
2. Protein: Even though men and women both require adequate-protein, physiological conditions like pregnancy and lactation increase the protein needs of women manifolds. Some rich sources of protein include milk and milk products, Pulses & legumes, soybeans, millets, Eggs & some vegetables like peas.
3. Iron: Iron deficiency anemia is widespread in our country and affects 70% of women and children. This happens because of Iron and folic acid deficiency, which can be wrapped by sources like ragi, green leafy vegetables, dried fruits and jaggery, dates, flaked rice, etc.
4. Calcium and phosphorus: Did you know postmenopausal women are more susceptible to get osteoporosis because of a decreased level of estrogen? Yes. This is why, the need for calcium and phosphorus in a woman's body should be met through sources like ragi, Bengal Gram whole, gingelly seeds, cumin seeds, poppy seeds, amaranth, drumstick leaves, etc.
5. Vitamin A: Vitamin A is essential for normal functioning of the retina for clear vision in dim light, participating in protein synthesis, Supporting reproduction and growth which are a prerequisite to women's good health, and regulating the antibodies and cellular immune response. Some rich sources are butter, ghee, egg, milk, curd, again, amaranth, drumstick leaves, green leafy vegetables, mango, papaya, pumpkin carrot, and jackfruit.
6. Vitamin-B complex: Vitamin-B complex group is a bundle of eight B vitamins that help in providing holistic health benefits to people. These benefits range from ensuring healthy cell growth, balance in energy levels, digestion, proper eyesight, cardiovascular health, hormonal balance, muscle toning, and more. In pregnant and lactating women, this vitamin ensures healthy brain development and lowering birth risks.
7.Vitamin C: Apart from the other functions like the formation of collagen, wound healing, etc, Vitamin C is especially essential for women as it helps in the absorption of iron in their body and activation of certain hormones. This vitamin can be found in Amla, drumstick leaves, guava, cashew fruit, agathi, cabbage, bitter gourd, oranges, tomatoes, and many more.
8. Vitamin D: We know that women require more calcium and phosphorus than men, and the role of vitamin D in a woman's body is essential to that. It helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by increasing the synthesis of calcium-binding protein, making our bones stronger and denser. Some rich sources include exposure to sunlight and by consumption of foods such as butter, yolk, cheese, milk, spinach, and cabbage.
It is indeed evident that there is no substitute for a good nutritional intake in a woman's life to strike a balance amongst all aspects of living. SheNutrition aims towards catering to the needs of a woman through adequate nourishment, thereby contributing to an upheaval in the health status of women in India. If you've not pondered much about it yet, now is the time. Prioritize yourself, love yourself, and more importantly heal yourself — through Nutrition.
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