Pastries or cakes are extremely popular food items. It is usually considered an energy-dense food due to having more carbohydrates, fat, egg, sugars, creams, etc. It is frequently considered a snack and dessert due to its availability. Moreover, it is liked by people of all age groups, particularly children. So, if one is exposed to an environment where pastry or cakes are easily available and accessible to him or her then there is a fair chance that he or she would be vulnerable to being malnourished and suffering from different diseases. So, manipulation of his or her selected foods is necessary to help him or her to be nourished and healthy.
It may be an alternative way to decorate as well as enrich cake or pastry by inserting layers of mashed and colored vegetables and fruits which are locally available, and cheap while preparing those. It would help one to add fiber and sweetness (10 tips for healthier baking – Heart Matters magazine – BHF). It would also help people to have more nutritious pastries or cakes containing more vitamins, minerals, fibers, and phytochemicals. Moreover, decorating with natural coloring compounds may reduce the necessity of artificial colors which are chemicals in nature. As a result, consumption of chemicals also may be reduced. Thus, the nutritional quality and safety of pastries or cakes will be improved. As a result, acceptance levels would be increased.
Homemade as well as commercial foods, like pastries or cakes enriched with vegetables and or fruits, may be prepared and sold at a lower cost. There is also the option to modify the taste based on individual taste and liking. The most important thing is that the composition could be changed following different energy requirements or disease conditions of an individual such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, etc.
Moreover, a new and innovative approach will be implemented, especially in Bangladesh to promote more healthy and nutritious foods like vegetables or fruit cakes for diverse groups of people based on their demand.
Eating modified pastry or cake may promote healthy eating that may help to control body weight gain as well as reduce the risk of developing different noncommunicable diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. (How to eat more veg without even noticing – Heart Matters – BHF). It was also concluded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) that “Eating more fruits and vegetables, at least five servings per day, was associated with reduced mortality.” (Fruit and vegetable consumption reduce risk of death | National Institutes of Health (NIH)).
It is very tough to change the habits of an individual in a brief time. Taste, culture, availability, accessibility, price, etc. influence personal food choices and intake. In addition, a lot of people, especially kids, are noticed as not interested or unwilling to consume foods like fruits and vegetables. On the other hand, they are very much interested in having sweets items like cakes and pastries, etc. A simple step may make his or her diet healthy to enjoy meals.
If you are interested to learn more about the health and nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables, please visit the following links:
Harvard study finds perfect blend of fruits and vegetables to lower risk of death – Big Think
Vegetables and Fruits | The Nutrition Source | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity
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