Diet Assessment

Period 1

Chemistry

March 3, 2012

Dietary Assessment

I am a very active person and my diet plays an important role in my health and physical fitness. I participate in football and basketball. For this diet analysis project I wanted to eat as I normally do to help determine if I am eating appropriately. After analyzing my diet, I would say I believe I am and feel fairly healthy, though I am out of the target range in a few areas. 

The attached Chart A is a list of typical foods that I eat for each meal. Chart B is the nutrient report for the three day sample of meals from the nutrition and calorie calculator at www.chooosemyplate.gov. Based on the nutrient report, I am below the 2800 daily recommended calories by 488 calories. Another factor that needs to be included in the daily calorie count is the amount of calories burned from physical activity. The average calories burned for the week was estimated by my activity report log. Two days during this week I ran 7.5 miles, which equals an average daily calories burned of 330. My average calorie intake therefore totals 1982, or 70.8% of the recommended calories. Although I do not believe I am undernourished, the symptoms and signs of malnutrition can be: fatigue; dizziness; poor immune function, dry scaly skin, swollen and bleeding gums, decaying teeth, slow reaction times, trouble paying attention, underweight, poor growth muscle weakness, fragile bones, and problems learning. (KidsHealth). During days of heavy running or physical activity, I will be sure to have a large lunch including loading up on carbohydrates, such as pasta or bread.

My nutrient report, Chart B revealed three minerals , calcium, potassium, and sodium, which two minerals I was under the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) and over on the third, sodium. The balance of the nutrients, minerals and vitamins listed I was within the RDI range or just slightly under. The first deficiency I discovered in my diet analysis was the essential...