O câncer e seus tratamentos desencadeiam alterações metabólicas e efeitos colaterais que afetam o estado nutricional do paciente e a aceitabilidade dos alimentos. O presente estudo avaliou a aceitação de preparações e sua associação aos sintomas decorrentes do tratamento em pacientes de uma clínica especializada em tratamento oncológico. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo e quantitativo. Coletaram-se dados clínicos de pacientes oncológicos, os quais avaliaram três preparações utilizando escala hedônica de cinco pontos. A aceitação das preparações, com grau de rigidez de 60%, foi para os valores ≥4 (gostei e gostei muito). Para análise da aceitação e relação entre as variáveis, foram utilizados os testes de análise de variância e de Tukey, com p<0,05. Participaram 23 pacientes, 87,0% do sexo feminino e 65,2% com excesso de peso. Cânceres de mama (56,5%) e de pulmão (17,4%) foram os mais frequentes, predominando o tratamento quimioterápico atual (52,2%) e a presença de desconfortos gastrintestinais (61,0%). Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre quimioterapia atual e disgeusia (p<0,010), saciedade precoce e avaliação global do bolo de gengibre com linhaça (p=0,049), xerostomia e textura do creme Chocolícia (p=0,050) e disgeusia e avaliação global da mesma preparação (p=0,045). Todas as preparações desenvolvidas foram bem aceitas, sendo a disgeusia o sintoma que apresentou alteração na aceitação.

Introduction: The consumption of added sugars has increased worldwide. To guide and encourage the implementation of public policies on the consumption of nonnutritive sweetener (NNS), it is necessary not only to identify the amount consumed of these products, but also the factors associated with their consumption. Objective: This study aimed to identify the variables related to NNS consumption in São Paulo state, Brazil. Method: A cross-sectional study involving adult employees of two public Universities in São Paulo state, Brazil, was conducted. An online questionnaire was applied containing questions on the use of NNSs and information about demographic, socioeconomic, anthropometric and health characteristics. The statistical analyses performed included: the Chi-square test to determine association between explanatory and dependent variables, adopting a level of significance of p<0.05, and binary logistic regression calculating the Odds-Ratio (OR) (α = 0.05). Results: A total of 1323 individuals took part in the study. The prevalence of NNS use was 53.3%, proving higher among individuals between 30 and 60 years of age (83.3. The Chi-squared test revealed that the variables gender (p = 0.000), Diabetes Mellitus (DM) (p = 0.000), arterial hypertension (p = 0.008), diffi culty controlling weight (p = 0.000), BMI (p = 0.000), income (p = 0.002) and age (p = .000) had a direct and signifi cant association with NNS consumption. On the logistics regression model, the variables signifi cantly associated with NNS consumption were gender (OR 1.3), age (OR = 2.59), DM (OR = 3.32), difficulty controlling weight (OR = 2.29) and consumption of diet foods (OR = 3.87). These results revealed that women are 30% more likely to consume NNS than men and that being aged between 50 and 60 years increases the likelihood of consuming these products by 2.59 times. In addition, being diabetic, having diffi culty controlling body weight, and consuming diet foods increase the likelihood of NNS consumption by 3.32; 2.29 and 3.97 times, respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the population studied were consumers of NNSs. The variables gender, age, DM, diffi culty controlling body weight, and consuming diet foods were all associated with the  consumption of NNSs.

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevalence has been growing, hence the importance of studying food alternatives with reduced sodium content sensory well accepted. Develop culinary preparations reduced in sodium, with addition of glutamic acid-rich ingredients, and evaluate their sensory acceptance. Research about use of glutamic acid-rich ingredients in recipes was done. Recipes were developed, aiming good sensory acceptance; their salt content was estimated by using TACD and USDA's food composition table. They were later submitted to sensory analysis, in which was applied 9-point hedonic scale (global acceptance and flavor), and linear scale of 10 cm (salt intensity). Data was analyzed by ANDVA and Tukey Test (p < 0.05) with software FOZZ Biosystemes. Herbs pie samples with parmesan cheese had better acceptance and salt intensity was perceived as moderate. Bruschetta samples, with tomatoes, were well accepted regardless the presence of refined salt or herbs; and had a harmonious salt intensity perception. Salt intensity was considered adequate on chicken stroganoff samples while champignon mushrooms provided better global acceptance. All samples had 50-60% less salt than traditional recipes. Ongredients naturally rich in glutamic acid (parmesan cheese, tomatoes and mushrooms) are good for strategies of sodium content reduction in culinary preparations, without reduce sensorial acceptance.

Objetivo: avaliar a influência dos aspectos sensoriais na escolha da alimentação e a importância dos atributos em preparações de cardápios institucionais. Métodos: A aplicação do questionário Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) avaliou o grau de importância dos fatores sensoriais na escolha alimentar. Para todos os cardápios aplicou-se a Avaliação Qualitativa das Preparações (AQPC) visando o entendimento da percepção da qualidade sensorial entre indivíduos. Os dados da AQPC e do FCQ foram avaliados pela análise de variância, teste de Tukey e distribuição percentual. Resultados: Identificou-se como muito importante, tanto intergrupos quanto na população total do estudo, o fator apelo sensorial (sabor, odor, textura e aparência) e o “preço justo” dentro do fator preço. Sobre os cardápios analisados, apesar de ser evidenciada a monotonia de cores nos locais, isto não representa a falta de variedade entre os ingredientes, uma vez que a ocorrência para saladas e guarnições foi muito satisfatória no restaurante e no hospital. Conclusão: Os atributos de sabor, textura e harmonia podem influenciar na aceitação de cardápios e das preparações oferecidas, pois determinam as escolhas dos consumidores. Importante ferramenta para a prática do nutricionista quando da elaboração de cardápios/produtos com qualidade sensorial e aceitação e atender o direito de uma alimentação de qualidade.

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Considering edible flower's various uses in culinary, health benefits, and its low consumption, is essential to evaluate the sensorial aspects of preparations with it to verify the acceptance of these ingredients. Were used three samples of salads with leaves and flowers, which were evaluated by thirty-five volunteers who analyzed it according to hedonic characteristics and indicated their preference. Attributes as color, texture, aroma and overall aspects, in all samples, obtained scores that characterized acceptance of the preparations, while attributes as flavor showed a higher number of rejection or indifference. Between the samples analyzed, the one that presented minor rejection over flavor was the sample with higher degree of irradiation, perhaps by present sweeter flavor, because of higher irradiation exposure. This study shows that population is receptive to consume edible flowers, but it needs to improve disclosure and alternative recipes to attract the consumers. 

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the retention rate of vitamin C and carotenoids in vegetables submitted to heat treatment. Design/methodology/approach -Samples of carrot and broccoli were submitted to conventional cooking, steaming, microwaving and autoclave. Ascorbic acid concentrations were determined according to the methodology of Zhang and Hamauzu. The extraction of carotenoids was done using the methodology of Niizu and Rodriguez-Amaya. The formula of Murphy et al. was used to calculate the retention rate of vitamins. Findings -The highest retention percentage of ascorbic acid, a-carotene, b-carotene and lutein in carrots was obtained using microwave cooking. In the case of broccoli, the best retention for a-and b-carotene was by steam cooking, whereas ascorbic acid was best preserved in the autoclave and lutein by conventional cooking. Practical implications -Ascorbic acid and carotenoids are compounds present in vegetables relevant mostly from a therapeutical point of view, as they appear to be associated with the prevention of many diseases. However, these vitamins are lost during the cooking process, which is of great importance in developing countries where deficits of these nutrientes are quite common in the population. Originality/value -The results obtained in this study indicate that the cooking technique of choice is of fundamental importance not only at home but also for the food industry, considering the increasing consumption of processed foods.

Researches indicate that the Brazilian population is still consuming sodium in excess and national epidemiological studies, have not verified the impact of taste modifications provided by the formulations available on the market and in homemade meals. The objective is to verify whether the basic umami taste, in the form of monosodium glutamate (MSG) monohydrate, is an alternative for reducing sodium in the preparation of meals. Also, to confirm the ideal concentration of MSG equivalent to acceptance with salt, and the impact of an explanatory video about warnings of salt excess on consumer behaviour, regarding the intention to use table salt in meals. For this study, three concentrations of sodium were used in the preparations rice and ground meat: one with the intrinsic sodium of the food, one with the addition of salt, 1 g for 100 g of rice and for meat, and one with salt and MSG, for 100 g of rice, 0.54% are of salt and 0.43% are of MSG and for 100 g of meat, 0.55% are of salt and 0.44% are of MSG. All quantities were suggested by a previous study, confirmed in a sensorial pre-test. The acceptability of preparations was assessed by the preference test. The levels of sodium and glutamic acid in the test preparations were also analysed. The results showed no significant difference between the exposed to the video. This study showed a sodium reduction of at least 30% in rice and 33% in ground meat, two kinds of meals widely consumed in Brazil, maintaining the same acceptance. These data suggest that the partial substitution of NaCl with MSG/umami can be an alternative to reduce sodium in meals.