Nutritional Composition Of Meals Research Articles

The energy density of meals and snacks consumed by young Australian adults (18-30 years old) are influenced by preparation location but not screen use nor social interactions: findings from the MYMeals wearable camera study.

The present study examined the association of contextual factors (social and food preparation location) with the energy density of meals and snacks consumed in a sample of young Australian adults (18-30 years old) identified using wearable camera technology. Over three consecutive days, a subsample of young adults wore a wearable camera that captured images in 30 s intervals. Eating episodes from 133 participants were annotated for preparation location and social context (covering social interaction and screen use). Over the same period, participants completed daily 24 h recalls. The nutritional composition of meals and snacks was calculated by matching the items identified in the camera to the 24 h recall using time and date stamps. Self-reported data (weight and height) was used to calculate body mass index and (residential postcode) to assign socio-economic status. The association of context and demographic factors with energy density was determined using a mixed linear regression model employing the bootstrap method with bias-corrected and accelerated. In total, 1817 eating episodes were included in the analysis (n 8 preparation unclear and n 15 food components could not be identified excluded). Food prepared within the home was 1⋅1 kJ/g less energy-dense than other preparation locations. Lunches (CI -1⋅7 to -0⋅3) and dinners (CI -1⋅6 to -0⋅5) were both 1⋅0 kJ/g lower in energy density than breakfasts. Snacks were 3⋅5 kJ/g (CI 2⋅8-4⋅1) more energy-dense than breakfasts. Food prepared outside the home and food consumption during snacking appear to be adversely contributing to energy-dense food intake.

Exploring two food composition databases to estimate nutritional components of whole meals

The integration of foodomics data to explain the impact of diet on health requires a precise knowledge of nutrients composition of complex meals. This work assesses the adequacy of two food composition databases (FCDBs) for calculation of nutritional composition of whole meals, compared to the golden standard “lab chemical analyses” and search for predictive models to overcome some limitations of FCDBs. Six meals were designed by integrating healthy foods in a meal based on the “Western diet” pattern. The nutritional composition of each meal was i) chemically determined; ii) retrieved from the Portuguese food composition table (TCAP) and from iii) United States Department of Agriculture database (USDA). Compared to chemical analyses, both FCDBs significantly (p < 0.05) overestimate the amount of Na and vitamin B6; TCAP also overestimate the amount of Ca (p < 0.05), while USDA overestimate energy, fat, available carbohydrates, P, and Fe. Linear regression analyses were used to adjust nutrient values based on TCAP and USDA. Predictive models from both FCDBs were successfully obtained for reliable estimation of protein, PUFA, available carbohydrates, total carbohydrates, sugars, Zn, β-carotene, vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin in meals with a given uncertainty, which is provided by the respective correction factors. Those predictive models are limited to the range of theoretical values of meals studied.

Insights from the Impact of Meal Composition on Glucose Profile Towards Post-bariatric Hypoglycemia Management.

The need to improve post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) diagnosis and clinical management is well recognized. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of meal nutritional composition on interstitial fluid glucose (IFG) profiles and symptom profile after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Seventeen subjects previously submitted to RYGB were allocated into two groups of symptomatic (n = 9) or control individuals (n = 8), according to spontaneous report of symptoms suggestive of hypoglycemia. Subjects were provided with a food and symptom diary (FSD) to record dietary intake and symptoms experienced, while using a flash glucose monitoring (FGM) system for 14days. Postprandial symptom reports occurred in 70.5% of subjects (88.9% vs 50.0%, p = 0.0790, symptomatic vs control), although symptoms with concurrent IFG < 54mg/dL and within 54 to 69mg/dL were only observed in 31.9% and 4.8% of the events in the symptomatic vs control group, respectively (p = 0.0110). Daily glucose profiles, total energy, and macronutrients intake were not significantly different between the groups. However, nutritional composition of meals preceding reported symptoms had lower protein (3.2g ± 1.0g vs 7.7g ± 0.5g, p = 0.0286) or higher sugar (11.6g ± 2.4g vs 4.3g ± 0.9g, p = 0.0333) content. Postprandial symptoms are often in patients after RYGB. Concurrent hypoglycemia only occurs in up to a third of the symptomatic episodes being more frequent in patients that spontaneously reported complaints. Hypoglycemia is more likely to be triggered by meals with a low protein or high sugar content. These findings highlight the putative role of meal composition in eliciting PBH and reinforce the need to refine nutritional intervention.

Physiological links between circadian rhythms, metabolism and nutrition.

Circadian rhythms, metabolism and nutrition are closely interlinked. A great deal of recent research has investigated not only how aspects of metabolic physiology are driven by circadian clocks, but also how these circadian clocks are themselves sensitive to metabolic change. At the cellular level, novel feedback loops have been identified that couple circadian 'clock genes' and their proteins to expression of nuclear receptors, regulation of redox state and other major pathways. Using targeted disruption of circadian clocks, mouse models are providing novel insight into the role of tissue-specific clocks in glucose homeostasis and body weight regulation. The relationship between circadian rhythms and obesity appears complex, with variable alteration of rhythms in obese individuals. However, it is clear from animal studies that the timing and nutritional composition of meals can regulate circadian rhythms, particularly in peripheral tissues. Translation of these findings to human physiology now represents an important goal.

Effect of nutritional composition of meals on exercise tests in patients with ischaemic heart disease

Effect of nutritional composition of meals on exercise tests in patients with ischaemic heart disease