Amitabh Sharma
Features Coordinator

In this time of the year, when most of us go overboard feasting on the goodies and end up seeing the waistline go up by couple of notches. It is the season to be cheerful, to make merry and indulge; at the same time it is also the season to make and most importantly keep resolutions.

A year long commitment
These resolutions must be kept throughout the year, as a well oiled machinery we need the right fuel to perform optimally.

"A proper nutritious balance of a meal can remove feelings of being stressed out especially at the workplace," says Dr. Hame Persaud, Kingston based general physician and author of 'A renewed you'.

During the course of our workday we tend to eat whatever is available or at times skip meals, either of which is not good in the long run. Moderation is the key here, anything in excess or the lack of causes problems.

"It is better to eat right than using the big bad word, diet," says Dr. Persaud.

FOOD ESSENTIALS

1. Starch and sugars - We need this for energy, no gasoline, no move, no move no work... Starting the day with a piece of bread, roti, yam, banana, dasheen, cassava, breadfruit will give 4 - 6 hours of energy.

Excess of starch causes drowsiness, confusion, abdominal pains, nausea, sweating and ultimately weight gain leading to obesity.

Lack of starch; many have a strong will power to go without eating. When we neglect one or all the items of our meals we become weak. The sugar levels in the body goes down, a condition called 'hypoglycaemia, nervousness, sweating, abdominal pains, outbursts of anger and feel lazy.

2. Protein foods. This type of food includes milk, eggs, meat, fish and peas. Protein builds muscles, bones and help fight infection. Lack of protein causes malnutrition while excess can cause to increase the bulk and breakdown of products can lead to arthritis. All of these complications can cause disturbance of work performance.

3. Fatty food -should taken in moderation, excess can lead to excess weight and high cholesterol. A small amount is necessary for essential vitamin absorption. These include A,D,E and K, which help with healthy eyes, skin, hair and strength.

4. Vegetables and fruits - These must be taken in abundance, remember 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'. All dieticians warn us that excess of fruits leads to elevation of sugar levels. Hence we must be moderate, specially in the mango season.

5. Water - Very essential, you should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses a day, this will help to keep the system flushed and free of toxins.

We may not realise, but dehydration leads to poor concentration, impaired sleep, dry skin, joint problems, sore eyes and digestive disorders. Too much may make us spend half of the workday in the bathroom. If that is the case you may have to get a check up for diabetes or urinary tract infection.

"Getting the body in shape can make it productive machinery," says Dr. Persaud, "we can achieve more in a shorter time and enjoy the niceties of life."

" A broken down body can be a distress not only to the owner of the body but to all those around," he says.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com