HEALTHY EATING

Healthy Eating

Healthy Eating

Introduction

Human beings must eat to survive. Today, more is known about nutrition than at any other time in history, yet this knowledge has not translated into proper nutritional and/or lifestyle behavior for many people. The United States is a food-affluent society, yet many living here—and not just the poor—are malnourished (i.e., they have imbalanced nutrition from poor diet, overeating, or improper absorption). An unwillingness to alter one's lifestyle to meet sound nutritional standards and concessions to convenience are often at the heart of the problem. In our fast-paced society, people frequently skip meals, especially breakfast, or opt to eat a poorly balanced meal at a fast-food restaurant. Despite the fact that a well-nourished student is more apt to reach his or her full potential—physically, mentally, and intellectually—many parents and teachers fail to provide good examples for their students concerning nutritional habits. Most foods contain more than one nutrient. The study of nutrients, and their relationship with food and living things, is called nutrition.

Discussion

A balanced diet is a food intake with the correct amount of nutrients for the needs of the individual. The body releases food energy during metabolism, the complex collection of chemical reactions providing energy for the body. Some people have a low metabolism where the body is slow at burning up food. Others have a high metabolism where the body can burn food more quickly. A number of factors affect metabolic rate, such as age, gender, work load (sedentary or manual), lifestyle, frame, and height. (Walter, 2003)

Dietary goals

A study conducted to reflect the change in our lifestyles and activity levels and to try to establish why there was an increase in coronary heart disease came up with a solution of encouraging the population to:

eat less sugar

eat less fat

eat less salt

eat more fibre

drink less alcohol.

Why these five goals?

Sugar

Sugar is classed as an empty food and does not give any value other than energy. If eaten in large quantities it can cause tooth decay, obesity, and diabetes. Many sugary foods such as cakes and biscuits are also high in fat. (Curley, 2000)

Fat

The body needs fat because of the essential fatty acids it contains. However, saturated fat, found in meat, poultry, and dairy products, can cause heart disease by blocking the arteries. This is due to the blood carrying the fat in the form of cholesterol and depositing it on the artery walls narrowing them. This can cause blockages and a lack of oxygen. Too much fat also causes obesity.

Salt

Salt retains water and causes hypertension (high blood pressure). Sodium's main function is to retain the body's fluid levels. It is found in most processed foods.

Fibre

Fibre, also known as nonstarch polysaccharide, cannot be digested by the body and gives a feeling of fullness as well as removing toxins in the body. It can help to prevent constipation and protect against bowel cancer. It is found in unrefined foods (foods that have not been processed in any way), vegetables, and ...