Some people cannot or do not like to eat vegetables and fruits due to objective or subjective factors. Limiting or eliminating this food group from the diet can lead to negative effects on health.
Diseases that make it difficult to consume vegetables and fruits
Mr. NAP (28 years old, living in Thu Dau Mot, Binh Duong province) has not been able to eat fruits and most vegetables since he was a child. When asked about the cause of this condition, Mr. P. said: "Every time I smell or am forced to eat fruits, I feel nauseous."
Similar to Mr. P., Ms. NNNH (21 years old, in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City) also has problems with the smell of vegetables and fruits: "I'm afraid people won't believe me, but when I eat vegetables, I feel like I'm... chewing grass! Except for lettuce, fish mint and chives, I can't eat any other vegetables."
Fruits contain lots of vitamins and fiber but many people can't eat them.
Specialist Doctor 1 Truong Le Luy Na, Deputy Head of the Department of Nutrition, Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HCMC) said that there are a number of medical conditions that can make it difficult or impossible to consume fruits and vegetables, including:
Food allergy : Some people are born with an allergy to the proteins in fruits and vegetables. The immune system mistakes the protein in the food for a harmful agent and triggers an allergic reaction, causing the immune system to overreact to one or more proteins in foods, including fruits and vegetables.
People with allergies may have difficulty or even be unable to eat certain fruits and vegetables. In addition, in some cases, the allergic reaction damages the intestinal tract, leading to symptoms similar to food intolerance. For example, people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloating when consuming carbohydrate-rich fruits and vegetables, especially those that contain difficult-to-digest carbohydrates such as onions, garlic, cauliflower, and some other foods.
Congenital digestive disorders : For example, Hirschsprung's disease requires a diet that prioritizes low-fiber, easily digestible, energy-dense foods to support digestive function.
“In this disorder, a part of the intestine lacks nerve cells responsible for regulating bowel movements. This results in the intestines not being able to contract normally, causing severe constipation, intestinal obstruction, or enteritis. Vegetables and fruits often contain a lot of insoluble fiber, which can make stools hard and difficult to move through the intestines. In Hirschsprung's patients, the intestines cannot push stools out effectively, leading to a higher risk of intestinal obstruction. Furthermore, foods high in fiber or with a hard texture (such as cabbage, raw carrots, apples) can increase the volume of stools and cause blockages in the affected part of the intestine. This can cause abdominal pain, bloating, or require hospitalization,” explains Dr. Luy Na.
Lack of small group of substances but… big harm!
If the body is not provided with nutrients such as fiber and vitamins from fruits and vegetables, there will be many negative effects on health, from short-term to long-term. Some of the main effects can be mentioned as:
Increased risk of chronic diseases : Increased risk of cancer, especially colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, premature aging, depression, anxiety...
Lack of fiber: Fiber from fruits and vegetables plays an important role in maintaining digestive health and preventing disease. Lack of fiber can cause: constipation, hemorrhoids, imbalance in intestinal microflora, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, weight gain, obesity...
Vitamin deficiency : Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of essential vitamins. Vitamin deficiency can cause conditions such as immunodeficiency, scurvy due to vitamin C deficiency; night blindness, dry skin and hair due to vitamin A deficiency; blood clotting disorders due to vitamin K deficiency; fatigue, cognitive impairment due to vitamin B deficiency…
Supplement vitamins and other nutrients from fish such as herring, salmon...
What nutritional sources can be substituted?
For people who cannot eat (or can only eat very little) fruits and vegetables, fiber and vitamins can be compensated by choosing foods such as:
Whole grains (oats, brown rice, millet, whole wheat bread…), beans, nuts…
Alternative foods that provide vitamins : Animal liver (such as chicken liver, beef liver), egg yolks, milk and dairy products supplemented with vitamin A, vitamin D; red bell peppers, potatoes, mulberries, orange juice or juice supplemented with vitamin C; fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, herring, etc.); vegetable oils (such as olive oil, sunflower oil), almonds, sunflower seeds rich in vitamin E, etc.
Use supplements : Multivitamins provide many important vitamins, extra fiber helps support digestion…
Dr. Luy Na also emphasized that it is difficult to find a food source that completely replaces fruits and vegetables, because they provide many important nutrients and antioxidants necessary for the body. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a nutritionist to build a suitable diet with enough energy and nutrients.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bac-si-chi-ra-nguon-dinh-duong-thay-the-neu-khong-an-duoc-rau-cu-trai-cay-185250111000551393.htm
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