Question

Case Study #5 - Vitamins

Michael is a 22-year-old college student who lives off campus. Although he has a kitchen in his apartment, he has neither the time nor the interest in making his own food or stocking his own kitchen. All three of his daily meals come from fast-food restaurants. A typical day’s intake is as follows:

Breakfast: Two egg and bacon sandwiches on English muffins. Large coffee with creamer and sugar

Lunch: Two cheeseburgers with catsup. Large French fries. Soft drink. Cookies

Dinner: A foot-long submarine with cold cuts, cheese, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Bag of potato chips. Soft drink

Snacks: Chocolate bar. Chips and salsa. Popcorn

■ What vitamins is Michael probably lacking in his diet? What vitamins is he probably getting enough of?

■ Are there better choices he could make at fast-food restaurants that would improve his vitamin intake?

■ What suggestions would you make for keeping “quick” and “easy” food in his apartment that would improve his vitamin intake without being too much “bother”?

■ How would you respond to this question from Michael: “Can I just take a multivitamin so I don’t have to make changes in my eating habits?”

Answer 1

• Michael eats most of his daily meals from the fast food restaurants and most of the fast foods lack vitamins which are needed for his body.He is not taking any fish and that is why he is lacking Omega 3 fatty acids.Ke also lacks Vitamins such as Viamin A,Vitamin B.He is getting enough of Vitamin C .
• It is better for him to avoid having foods from the restaurants as tehse foods lack in vitamins and other nutrients.He could improve his Vitamin intake by including green salad,grilled fish or chicken inhois diet from the restaurant.
• Michael could take multivitamins like Omega 3 fish oil capsules .