Monday, February 4, 2013

Healthy Eating


Read the following TWO short articles and answer the following questions in your notebook:

1) Give three examples of unhealthy foods.

2) Name some of the unhealthy foods that you eat on a regular basis.

3) Give three examples of healthy foods.

4) Name some of the healthy foods that you eat on a regular basis.

5) Take a look at the short and long-term risks of eating unhealthy foods.  Do you think that you are experiencing any of these effects due to your diet?

6) What is an alternative to caffeine and sugar to avoid the afternoon "energy crash"?

7) Do you know anyone that maintains a healthy lifestyle regarding eating, exercise, sleeping and life choices?  Who is that person?  What is that person like?


RESULTS OF UNHEALTHY DIETS


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Oct 23, 2010 | By Joshua McCarron
Fast foods are unhealthy choices that can eventually lead to health problems.
Photo Credit Andrea Bricco/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

UNHEALTHY FOODS

Foods that are considered unhealthy and will get you into health trouble usually share certain characteristics. Unhealthy foods are higher in saturated fat, trans fats, sugar, sodium, refined flour, and chemical preservatives or additives. Foods with these properties include many baked goods like cakes, cookies, pies and muffins, fatty meats, fried foods, and fast food. Packaged and processed foods from the grocery store are also culprits, as are liquids high in sugar such as soda.

HEALTHY FOODS

Foods that foster good health will basically have the opposite characteristics of the bad foods. Foods low in sodium, sugar, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and white flour should find their way onto your plate more often. These typically include fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein, whole grains and healthy fats like omega-3s.

SHORT-TERM RISKS

Participating in an unhealthy eating plan isn't all about major illness and disease. Short-term problems can also crop up from putting bad foods in your body. Weight gain is a primary example of a short-term risk. Your clothes may become a little tighter and you may notice moving more cumbersome. You could also notice a dip in energy levels, skin problems and dull-looking hair.

LONG-TERM RISKS

A poor diet carries with it many long-term health risks. When sugar, fat and sodium are part of your daily life, you can expect conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease to be more prevalent. A diet high in fats and sugars can also lead to obesity, which in turn may cause osteoarthritis or osteoporosis. Purdue University reports that rates of both colon cancer and breast cancer are higher in people who regularly follow an unhealthy diet.

EXERCISE AND STRESS

Modifying your diet is not the only consideration for a healthy life. You must exercise your body and control stress levels, or some of the conditions you are trying to prevent with diet could happen anyway. Engaging in aerobic activity that uses larger muscle groups for 30 minutes on most days should be sufficient, states the Cleveland Clinic. This can include swimming, running, cycling or kickboxing. Also, adding yoga, meditation or tai chi to your routine can help to calm your mind and relieve stress.

Article reviewed by Christine Brncik Last updated on: Oct 23, 2010


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/287256-results-of-unhealthy-diets/#ixzz2JwQih9oN


http://www.livestrong.com/article/499296-long-term-effects-of-a-healthy-diet/


LONG TERM EFFECTS OF A HEALTHY DIET

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Jul 23, 2011 | By Nancy Clarke

Eating a healthy meal may make you feel warm and fuzzy today, but making good nutrition a habit pays long-term dividends. Daily attention to adequate protein, vitamins, minerals and healthy carbohydrates and fats gives you the power to do all that you want to do without depleting your body's stores for the future. Show your children the benefits of eating right, and you'll all enjoy better energy and health today and fewer chronic problems over your lifetimes.

INSTANT GRATIFICATION

Enjoying daily energy and well-being bolsters your health over the months and years. Instead of using caffeine and sweets to beat the afternoon doldrums, use your diet to create a healthy internal environment for the long term. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that a varied diet from all the food groups provides the nutritional balance your body needs without excess calories or detrimental fats to slow you down. Eating three regular meals a day, plus a snack of fruit or nuts if you need one, will maintain your blood sugar and avoid an afternoon energy crash.

DIETARY HABITS

Forming good eating habits protects you from degenerative conditions associated with osteoporosis and obesity. If you get your calcium and vitamin D and watch your calorie intake today, you'll reduce your risk for bone loss and weight gain over the years. Modeling this behavior for children makes them more likely to make the same healthy choices. It also helps them get sufficient amounts of nutrients that are crucial to their development during periods of accelerated growth.

LONG-TERM HEALTH

Your health status as an older adult depends in part on your everyday diet from childhood onward. To avoid the leading causes of death from diet-related diseases, including heart disease, stroke and cancer, eat low-fat, high-fiber foods most often. Reducing your sodium and sugar intakes can help you avoid high blood pressure and weight gain, which are risk factors for heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Preventing chronic, incurable illnesses can extend your longevity and your enjoyment of life.

QUALITY LIVING

Nutrient deficiencies affect your blood count, oxygen supply and musculoskeletal health. These weaknesses can lead to poor exercise tolerance and frailty, two common complaints of sedentary seniors. Excess fats and sugar, on the other hand, cause weight gain that may compromise your mobility as you age. Staying active and robust by getting enough protein, vitamins, iron, calcium and other minerals helps you avoid muscle trauma and bone fractures. Maintaining a healthy weight lowers your risk for arthritis, incontinence and other disorders that can seriously diminish your quality of life.

REFERENCES

Article reviewed by Mary Bland Last updated on: Jul 23, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/499296-long-term-effects-of-a-healthy-diet/#ixzz2JwPz7znp



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