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Additional information
INFORMATION ABOUT HEALTHY NUTRITION
Introduction
| In countries where the standard of living is high, there
is plenty of food to go round – too much for most people, in fact.
The most common nutritional problems are disorders that result from excessive
energy intake or unbalanced nutrition. |
Obesity is an increasing problem in all Western welfare states. In Finland,
obesity is considered a national health problem and is usually a result of
excessive energy intake. Excess weight problems can be treated by nutritional
means.
The National Nutrition Council issued the new Finnish Nutrition Recommendations
in October 1998. The new nutrition recommendations emphasise the comprehensiveness
of diets.
Good food is tasty, varied and colourful. To keep energy intake and output
balanced, the right amount of food should be eaten. Food should always be enjoyed
and not eaten in a rush. These are the themes that the Nutrition Council wishes
to use to describe a good Finnish diet. Three visual models complement verbal
recommendations: the familiar food wheel, a food pyramid and the Plate Model.
Plate Model
The model is actually a meal model and it illustrates the composition of a recommended
meal. Fill one half of your plate with vegetables. One quarter should be reserved
for potato, rice or pasta and the remaining quarter for fish or meat.
A good meal includes a skimmed or low-fat milk drink or a glass of water, and
depending on energy requirements, the meal should be accompanied with either
one or two pieces of bread, spread with a small amount of soft spread. Fruits
or berries as a dessert complement the meal.
Picture: The Plate Model
Source: National Nutrition Council. Finnish Nutrition Recommendations. Committee
Report 1998:7. Helsinki: Oy Edita Ab; 1998.
USEFUL LINKS
http://www.ktl.fi/ravitsemus/ravitsemussuositukset.html
http://www.finfood.fi/finfood/ff.nsf/87A77BDE53334088C225696C0042BBF8/7E12895F2BB33D33C225696F003C428A?OpenDocument
http://www.maitojaterveys.fi/Ravkatsaukset/ravikats2_98_ravitsemussuos.htm
http://www.avoin.helsinki.fi/materiaalit/ravitsemustiede/01_ravitsemussuositukset.shtml