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Plenty of Tips on How to Look as well as Feel your Best at Donegal’s Free Health & Wellbeing Event
The Donegal Creameries & National Dairy Council Health & Wellbeing event on Thursday evening 12th May was packed with free tips and ideas on how to look your best as well as how to feel your best. Taking place in the Mill Park Hotel and open to the public free of charge, the evening balanced independent scientific advice about nutrition and a presentation on wellbeing; with an entertaining fashion show.
McElhinneys Department Store, which employs 175 people at Ballybofey, displayed over 40 casual and occasional wear outfits from their Spring collection on the catwalk in Donegal, with master of ceremonies Noel Cunningham.
Specialist Fiona Hoban, a popular Counsellor & Communications Consultant, had the audience on its feet with a thought provoking presentation about mindfulness and its impact on our wellbeing. Ms. Hoban described ‘mindfulness’ as an awareness and acceptance of what is happening now, which allows us to create the space to respond rather than react to circumstances. She explored key concepts such as acceptance, being present and non-attachment outcomes; and how these can be used as effective coping strategies for the challenges we face in our daily lives.
Paula Mee, independent dietitian and a TV personality and commentator on nutrition and health, formally a presenter of RTÉ’s Health Squad programme, gave a lively presentation on ‘Dairy Throughout the Life Stages.’ Ms. Mee gave an expert overview of more recent scientific research related to milk and dairy products as part of our diet throughout our lives.
“Self Diagnosis” Should Not be Basis of Food Pyramid Dietary Variances
“Some people seem to make food choices for themselves or for their children and families based on assumptions, which are not always correct; or that are increasingly based on misinformation from sources like the internet, which may not be reliable, may not be regulated or which may not be tailored to Irish dietary requirements,” says Paula Mee.
According to Paula Mee, this is very important when you are making decisions which affect one of our core food groups within the food pyramid. She cautioned against “self diagnosis" when it comes to allergies. "Accurate diagnosis of a suspected allergy or intolerance by a suitably qualified medical professional is important, because removing a core food group unnecessarily from the diet, is not desirable, “ said Ms. Mee.
“Childhood and adolescence in particular are two very important stages for both physical and mental development,” says Paula Mee. “A suitable diet should ensure that all nutrient requirements are met in order to protect health while laying down healthy habits for the future."
Paula Mee referred to ‘Cow’s Milk Allergy’ & ‘Lactose Intolerance’ which are two terms that are often confused, although they are quite different.
Cow’s Milk Allergy is an abnormal immunological response to a food – in this case cow’s milk – which is most prevalent in early childhood - but prognosis is actually good. For example, one study demonstrated that 80% of children outgrow their milk hypersensitivity by three years of age.
Therefore, food challenges may be considered in the management of the condition, but always under medical supervision.
Lactose intolerance is non-allergic and does not involve the immune system. It stems from varying levels of deficiency of the enzyme ‘lactase’, leading to the reduced ability to digest lactose, the primary sugar naturally present in cow’s milk. The treatment of lactose intolerance involves a lactose–reduced diet, but that does not have to mean cutting out all dairy foods completely.
An Opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) last year says the majority of people with lactose maldigestion can tolerate up to 12g of lactose as a single test dose with no or minor symptoms; and that higher doses may be tolerated if distributed throughout the day. The Opinion also acknowledges the variation in individual tolerances. Paula Mee explained that the lactose content of most cheeses is considerably lower than milk. Cheddar cheese contains only 0.1g of lactose per 100 grams. The lactose content of whole milk is 4.5g / 100 g, with a relatively similar content for semi skimmed and skimmed milk. ESFA also issued a positive opinion regarding the relationship between live yogurt cultures in yogurt and improved lactose digestion in individuals with lactose maldigestion.
Therefore, when a person is medically diagnosed with lactose malabsorption / intolerance, professional advice may include the spacing of dairy intake throughout the day whilst recognising the lower lactose content of many cheeses and the possible increased tolerance of some yogurts, may help to manage lactose intolerance whilst ensuring that nutritional adequacy is not compromised.
Dairy Calcium – In Weight Management
“It is a common myth that dairy products are high in fat,” says Paula Mee. “The truth is that whole milk is typically standardised at 3.5% fat in Ireland, between 1.5-1.8% for semi skimmed while 1% milk and skimmed milks are also available. Additionally, there are a wide variety of reduced fat options for dairy products.”
Paula Mee says that milk and dairy should be part of our diet, even when we are trying to control or lose weight. Diet quality as well as quantity is important for weight loss diets. She points to scientific evidence suggesting that consumption of calcium, particularly calcium from dairy products, may play a role in weight management. In fact, the Report of the National Taskforce on Obesity refers to the fact that people who meet the food pyramid recommendations from the Milk Cheese and Yogurt shelf are less likely to be obese.
Vegetarians & B Vitamins
Paula Mee also highlighted teenagers, and particularly teenager girls, as a group that need to be encouraged to access accurate information.
Paula Mee discussed vegetarianism, which is also becoming more popular among teenagers, in particular among teenage girls. “In some cases, teenagers who switch to a vegetarian diet put themselves at an increased risk of insufficient intakes of vitamin B12 or iron, which may lead to anaemia,” says Paula. She explains that Vitamin B12 is predominantly found in animal not plant foods, and has many functions including the formation of red blood cells and the maintenance of a healthy nervous system. “Milk and dairy produce can be a very important part of the vegetarian diet as they are good sources of vitamin B12. "
Inadequate Calcium Intakes in Ireland
National surveys tell us that 42% of Irish teenage girls and 23% of Irish teenage boys have insufficient calcium intakes. Very recent findings from the National Adult Nutrition Survey also showed that 16% of Irish women (18-64 years) had inadequate calcium intakes. We also know that, according to the Slan survey 2007, 61% (nearly two thirds) of survey respondents reported consuming less than the ‘three servings of dairy a day’ recommended by the Irish Department of Health and Children within the food pyramid dietary guidelines.
“Daily dietary guidelines are set at levels to help Irish people to achieve the recommended intake of essential nutrients which our bodies need. Insufficient intakes of these essential nutrients could negatively impact on health - but it is equally very encouraging to think that some very simple steps could make very big differences to your health and wellbeing, both short and long term.”
Fact Sheets
Information about the Recommended Daily Allowances for calcium is available HERE.
The NDC nutritional team has produced fact sheets - a Guide to Healthy Eating, a Guide to Weight Loss and a guide to Understanding Osteoporosis and these are all available by clicking on the links or by calling the NDC on 01-290 2451.
North West Rehab
The Donegal Creameries & NDC health & wellbeing event was open to the public free of charge. All proceeds from a raffle on the evening were donated to North West Rehab.
Click here for Sources of Information
For further information about the National Dairy Council, return to our Home Page
Media enquiries:
For The National Dairy Council: Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-276 6117 - nina@progresspr.ie - www.progresspr.ie
For Donegal Creameries: Steven Perry, Donegal Creameries - 074-914 9127 - sperry@donegal-creameries.ie
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