2006. TV news reported the collaborative project between HPB and Cold Storage. Results show 60% of Singaporeans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables and are at high risk of degenerative diseases. This video features the same news coverage on Channel 5, Channel 8 and Channel U.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I thought the analysis was great and Cold storage even went the extra mile to incoporate some fruits-eating campaign in their stores.
Here's a report dated 2005:
12 May 2005
Singaporeans not eating enough fruit and vegetables have lower body antioxidant readings
From 13 March to 3 April 2005, 285 shoppers at 4 Cold Storage supermarkets were assessed for their fruit and vegetables intake and had their body antioxidant levels measured. Antioxidants in our body help to slow down the process of aging and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as certain cancers and heart disease.
The findings were that most (60%) of these shoppers did not eat enough fruit and vegetables daily. (The recommendation is to eat 2 servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables daily). These individuals have 30% lower mean body antioxidant levels than those meeting the “2+2” fruit and vegetables recommendation.
The antioxidant level was measured by shining a light beam on the palm and taking readings produced as a result of the interaction of the light beam with the antioxidants . Higher readings indicate higher antioxidant levels.
A factor influencing the antioxidant level is the amount of fruit and vegetables consumed, especially those varieties that are brightly coloured. Higher amounts of dietary fruit and vegetables have been associated with higher levels of antioxidant. Many colour pigments in fruit and vegetables function as powerful antioxidants in our body.
Programme outline
HPB will be working in partnership with Pharmanex and Cold Storage Supermarkets to encourage shoppers to buy enough fruit and vegetables for their family as a measure to boost body antioxidant levels. Palm scanning of antioxidant levels will be carried out in 10 Cold Storage outlets (see list attached) from 14 May to 17 July 2005 on every Saturday and Sunday. Members of the public can qualify for the palm scanning with a minimum purchase of $5 worth of any products on the same day of purchase at the participating supermarket.
Dr Annie Ling, Head of HPB's Nutrition Department said, “Many Singaporeans have given feedback that they find it difficult to meet the recommended level of fruit and vegetables intake. Scientific evidence has suggested that even if individuals fall short of the recommended level of intake, modest increases in fruit and vegetable intake by an additional serving which is equivalent to a piece of fruit or ¾ mug of vegetables confer health benefits.”
Fruit & vegetables promotion by Cold Storage
Shoppers can look out for special fruit and vegetable promotions by Cold Storage during this period, especially for those varieties of fruit and vegetables which are brightly coloured. These include the green leafy vegetables and red or orange-coloured fruit (e.g. papaya, rockmelon) and vegetables (e.g. carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes).
Mr Choo Peng Chee, CEO of Cold Storage Supermarkets said, “As Singapore's leading Fresh Food People, Cold Storage strongly supports the government's efforts to maintain high levels of good health among Singaporeans. The free antioxidant scanning will educate our shoppers on the merits of choosing to eat more fruits and vegetables to boost their antioxidant levels to protect their health."
Fuss free scanning
Ms Charlene Chiang, President of Pharmanex Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, said, “Previous methods of measuring antioxidant levels were consumer unfriendly, required blood samples and a long waiting period for results. The Pharmanex® BioPhotonic Scanner provides a quick measurement for Singaporeans to self-evaluate the benefits of modifying their diets to raise their antioxidant levels, and overall good health through healthy eating habits.”
Eat 2 Servings of Fruit & 2 Servings of Vegetables Programme
Date: Saturday, 14 May 2005
Time: 11.30am to 12.30pm
Venue: Great World City
Cold Storage Outlet, #B1–18/19
Kim Seng Promenade, Singapore 237994
Programme:
11.30 am Introduction to the collaboration
by Mr Sean Wong, Nutritionist, Health Promotion Board
Demonstration of how the Pharmanex® BioPhotonic Scanner works
by Mr Wan Peng Yue, Product Specialist, Pharmanex
Photo opportunity
Shoppers having their scans done and receiving nutritional counseling.
12.30 pm End of programme
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/hpb/default.asp?pg_id=1790
Dr Leslie Tay, from Karri Family Clinic and appeared in CNA before, made a posting on consumption of fruits, its implications for deficiency and its relation with diseases like Cancer. In particular, he talked about the Kiwi Fruit. He commented that Singaporeans arent consuming enough fruits:
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Kiwifruit as part of a healthy Singaporean Diet
I recently delivered a talk on Kiwifruit as part of a healthy Singaporean diet. This was conducted during the launch of the Zespri Kiwifruit season which will last till the end of the year. In general we Singaporeans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. Just look at a plate of Char Kway Teow, Chicken Rice and Fishball Noodles. There is hardly enough veggies in each dish to make up even one serving!
Here are the salient points of the speech I delivered. Remember that you need at least 2 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits everyday and one serving is equal to around 100gms or one cupful. So remember to eat more fruits and veggies!
Children and adolescents are not eating enough fruits and vegetables
Children are unable to eat as much as adults, yet their nutritional requirements are higher than adults. Adolescents are eating lots of junk food and snacks which are high in sodium, saturated fats and low in nutritional value.
According to a study by LaChance(1), Kiwifruit was ranked #1 amongst a list of 27 popular fruits in terms of nutrient density. That means that for children especially, every mouthful of kiwifruit carries more nutritional value than if he was eating other fruits.
Since an apple a day keeps the doctor away, let’s compare Kiwifruit with Apple to get a sense of the nutritional density of the fruit.
Children and adolescents are not eating enough fruits and vegetables
Children are unable to eat as much as adults, yet their nutritional requirements are higher than adults. Adolescents are eating lots of junk food and snacks which are high in sodium, saturated fats and low in nutritional value.
According to a study by LaChance(1), Kiwifruit was ranked #1 amongst a list of 27 popular fruits in terms of nutrient density. That means that for children especially, every mouthful of kiwifruit carries more nutritional value than if he was eating other fruits.
Since an apple a day keeps the doctor away, let’s compare Kiwifruit with Apple to get a sense of the nutritional density of the fruit.
Childhood asthma in Singapore and Kiwifruits
Asthma affects one in five children in Singapore and is a growing problem. Kiwifruits are very high in Vitamin C and it has been shown that children with a diet high in Vit C have less wheezing episodes. Vit C is also very important to keep the body’s immune system healthy which can help lower the risk of getting infections like the H1N1 flu.(4)
Childhood asthma in Singapore and Kiwifruits
Asthma affects one in five children in Singapore and is a growing problem. Kiwifruits are very high in Vitamin C and it has been shown that children with a diet high in Vit C have less wheezing episodes. Vit C is also very important to keep the body’s immune system healthy which can help lower the risk of getting infections like the H1N1 flu.(4)
http://www.karrifamilyclinic.com.sg/2009/06/kiwifruit-as-part-of-healthy.html
If Durian is a fruit, then I think the article is no longer valid. Singaporeans are going by bus loads across the causeway into Johor to consume durian.
According to a report released by ST, 2008, Luxury Tours started its durian trips in 2000, but began promoting them aggressively only recently after seeing a surge in demand.
It now sees up to 300 people on each tour, 30 per cent of whom are repeat customers. This is an estimated 50 per cent more than when it first started the tours, says a spokesman.
Other major travel agencies including Dynasty Travel, ASA Holidays, Commonwealth Travel and SA Tours, however, do not offer these tours as they say their focus is on longer-haul destinations. But a spokesman for SA Tours says it will consider offering them if demand increases.
Several other agencies contacted say they conduct the tours only upon request and if at least 15 to 20 people sign up.
If this is true, how can we say Singaporeans aren't taking enough fruits?
http://www.home-in-singapore.sg/sgp/cms.www/beatenPath.aspx?sid=556
I think probably to answer your question, Keith, we can look at the nutritious value of durians.
Do you know that 20% of the durian fruit are fats? And 22% are carbohydrates?
This could well be the reason why although singaporeans like durian, they are still unable to meet the requirements needed for daily intake of nutrients from other fruits.
In additional, if fruits like durian contains 20% fats, how then can it help to combat diseases as what other fruits would in the first place?
Perhaps this might help (Nutrients level of durians):
http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/2088/2
Yes, exactly, but it does contains a high-level of antioxidents like Vitamin C:
http://www.foodscout.org/food/durian.html
HPB has an article titled "Harness the goodness of fruits and Vegetables".
Encouraging variety in fruits and vegetables, the article details a practical guide on how to get more fruits and vegetables into our diet and even gave a breakdown of how portions of what type of fruits and vegetables to eat.
Do reference the article here:
http://www.hpb.gov.sg/foodforhealth/article.aspx?id=2648
Here's a post on why Singaporeans dislike taking fruits and vegetables:
http://sg.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090221005616AAwbMxx
Are you getting enough fibre?
Many people think they get enough fibre in their diet just because they eat the recommended two servings each of fruit and vegetables each day. The Singapore Health Promotion Board recommends a dietary fibre intake of 10g per 1000 kcal, this works out to be about 20g a day for women and 26g a day for men.
Fibre is the indigestible part of plant foods that passes into the intestines where it absorbs water and becomes bulky. This softens the stool and helps to move it quickly and easily out of your body. A high fibre diet not only helps your bowels function properly, it is also beneficial for weight loss, reducing risk of heart diseases and keeping blood sugar stable in diabetics.
The easiest way to add fibre to your diet is to eat more plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes and nuts. Fruit should be eaten with its skin, instead of peeled or as fruit juices. Eating more whole grains such as bran will also ensure you get high amounts of fibre.
To find out if you are eating enough fibre, take a look at the fibre content of these common foods:
http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/menhealth/Pages/Areyoueatingenoughfibre.aspx#
To the Chinese, there are heaty and "cooling" fruits. HPB seems to be more in line with the latter like citrus apples, oranges, grapes, pears. Our "heaty" fruits include tropical fruits like durians, mangosteens, kumquat, mangoes.
Post a Comment