WHAT MAKES THIS
FOOD SO SPECIAL?

OUR FOOD IS A HIGH PROTEIN,
VEGETARIAN POWER PACK OF NUTRITION.

We believe that hope for hungry children begins with our nutritious Hands Against Hunger® food, developed by food scientists and nutrition professionals to stop malnutrition.

PROTEIN

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Growth & repair of the body; helps transport nutrients throughout the body; helps body fight infection; regulates fluid in the body; is a source of protein; and all enzymes are proteins (enzymes perform many body functions).

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Kwashiorkor – severe growth retardation, loss of hair color, wounds do not heal, anemia, weakness, increased risk of infection, and can result in death.

FATS

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Source of energy & energy stores; forms the major component of cell walls; nourishes skin & hair; insulates the body from heat & cold; and cushions the main organs of the body.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Weakness, rough skin, brittle hair, and intolerance to heat & cold.

CARBOHYDRATES

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Provide the body with energy to perform all its functions. The brain & nervous system prefer carbohydrates for energy over protein and fats.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Weakness, fatigue, confusion, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

FIBER

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Replaces calories from fat; gives a feeling of fullness; decreases the risk of colon cancer; may decrease cholesterol levels; and may improve blood sugar levels by slowing the absorption of glucose (sugar).

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Can lead to appendicitis, arteriosclerosis (a type of heart disease), colon cancer, constipation, and diabetes (high blood sugar).

VITAMIN A

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in vision; growth & repair of the body; improves immunity; and helps decrease the risk of cancer.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Night blindness, rough skin, increased risk of infection, impaired bone & body growth, abnormal tooth & jaw alignment, eye problems that can lead to blindness.

VITAMIN C

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in wound healing; maintains bone & teeth; strengthens blood vessels; improves immunity; and helps the body absorb iron.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Scurvy – bleeding gums, tooth loss, and even death. Anemia, arteriosclerosis (clogged blood vessels) depression, increased infections, muscle degeneration, rough skin, weakened bones, and poor wound healing.

VITAMIN D

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Bone & tooth formation; helps body absorb & use calcium & phosphorous that aids in bone formation.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Rickets – Soft bones, abnormal growth, joint pain, and badly formed teeth.

THIAMIN

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in the release of energy from food; supports a normal appetite; supports nervous system functions.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Beriberi – extreme loss of muscle tissue, swelling all over the body, enlargement of heart, irregular heart rate, & paralysis. Also can cause mental confusion, weakness, & impaired growth.

RIBOFLAVIN

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in the release of energy from food; promotes healthy skin and normal vision.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Vision problems, skin disorders around the nose and mouth.

VITAMIN B6

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in the release of energy from food; promotes healthy skin, nerves, and the digestive system.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Nervous disorders, skin rashes, muscle weakness, anemia, seizures, and kidney stones.

VITAMIN B12

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Needed for protein & fat metabolism; helps in the formation of antibodies to fight infection and the formation of red blood cells.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Anemia, smooth tongue, fatigue, and nerve degeneration that can lead to paralysis.

NIACIN

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Maintains nerve cells; helps in red blood cell production; and helps in the production of genetic material.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Pellagra- skin rash on the body where exposed to the sun, loss of appetite, dizziness, weakness, irritability, fatigue, confusion, and indigestion.

FOLATE

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in red blood cell formation, protein metabolism, and new cell division. Helps in the formation of the nervous system of developing fetuses.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Anemia, heartburn, diarrhea, smooth tongue, depression, and poor growth.

BIOTIN

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in energy metabolism, fat production, and storage of a form of sugar (glycogen) that is stored in the liver.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Loss of appetite, nausea, depression, muscle pain, weakness, fatigue, and skin rash.

IRON

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in the formation of hemoglobin (enables red blood cells to carry oxygen) and helps the body use energy from food.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Anemia, weakness, headaches, increased risk of infections, and inability to concentrate.

CALCIUM

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Strengthens bones & teeth; helps muscles work; and helps blood clot, nerves to function, and in blood pressure function.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Stunted growth, tooth decay, and bone loss in adults.

PHOSPHORUS

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Part of every cell in the body and helps maintain acid balance of the body.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Unknown

MAGNESIUM

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in bone formation, protein use by the body, enzyme action, muscle activity, and in nerve function.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Growth failure, delayed development, loss of taste, and poor wound healing.

ZINC

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Part of many enzymes, present in the hormone insulin; helps in the production of proteins, boosts immunity; helps transport Vitamin A in the body; helps in would healing, taste, and normal fetal development.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Rickets – Soft bones, abnormal growth, joint pain, and badly formed teeth.

IODINE

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps in thyroid function and regulation of metabolism.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

A disease called Cretinism – severe physical and mental retardation, Goiter development.

COPPER

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

Helps with iron absorption, and is part of several enzymes.

DEFICIENCY EFFECTS:

Anemia and bone changes.