The Basics Of Nutrition

The Basics of Nutrition

In order to obtain optimal health, it is critical to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Becoming knowledgeable and learning how to evaluate the nutritional value of what one eats, may greatly increase one's ability to improve one's health and wellness. Many types of food are available to the consumer, so choosing the right type of food is very important. Chronic diseases, and other diseases such as: heart disease, stroke, cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, malnutrition, and diabetes, can be attributed to incorrect intake of food consumption. Having a healthful lifestyle is being disease free and having a healthy body. Eating food from each food group, displayed in MyPlate, will be beneficial in living a healthy lifestyle. One concern would be eating clean food, or organic food. It has not been treated with chemical fertilizers, pesticides or filled with antibiotics. In animals that are confined in areas with too many of their own kind disease lurks and it creates problems such as bacteria and viruses, cancers and dust bowls.

Nutrition, Healthy Weight, BMI - Body Mass Index, Nutrition, Fruits and Veggies, Physical Activity, these are all attributes of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Balancing one's intake of calorie intake from food and beverages will assist in eating healthier, and when one includes exercise one can maintain ones weight. Achieving and sustaining an appropriate body weight by eating right and exercising will help in enjoying good health and quality of life.

Looking at MyPlate and seeing the results of my food intake, I could stand to increase my grain intake. Since I only eat grain bread, or 7 grain bread, I cannot eat but one slice, since it is very filling. I do not use butter on my bread. I listed my intake for one day, which consisted of lots of protein, vegetables, and fruit. My main meal of the day is breakfast; I will eat a meat, vegetables and fruit which give me energy for the day. I will eat a small lunch and a very small dinner. I try to keep my portion sizes down to the size of my palm in order not to excessively overeat. By eating a healthy meal in the morning, again proportionally correct, I have more energy during the day. By drinking a lot of water I am making sure that I will not dehydrate. By looking at the MyPlate chart I am within the 40% to 60% ratio across the board. Of course the consumption of protein has my level over a 100%. I could eat more grains because this level is below 40%. I am comfortable with my eating habit and intend on maintaining it (Choosemyplate.gov).

When I look at Kelly's intake she eats a lot of sweets and heavy meals at night. She gets a lot of exercise and she is a lot younger. So I would think that she burns a lot of calories easier than I do. She also consumes a lot of sodas, ice cream, and other sweets. However, both (Kelly and I) show a rather level intake of all the food groups. On the web is a site "Center for Science in the Public Interest" a company which displays being a strong advocate for nutrition and health. It shows a statistic which is staggering, stating the obesity level being nearly two thirds (61%) of American adults are overweight or obese. It also states that unhealthy eating habits can lead to major illnesses such as obesity, HBP, Diabetes, Coronary Heart Disease, Osteoporosis, Cancer and Stroke (cspinet.org) On a government nutrition site it gives valuable insight in directing people to various web-sites that give great advice to eating well and health issues The key to a healthy lifestyle is to eat a nutritionally well balanced meal, and eat it in moderation. One has to exercise and one has to manage one's stress level. The consumption of water is essential to feeling better. (Nutrition.gov)

*Vegetable protein comes from peas, beans, asparagus and many others.