"The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs, but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition."
Thomas Edison
Nutrition
Nutrition is consuming food for growth, metabolism and repair. These effects can only be brought about by eating wholesome, healthy foods. A person who eats healthy, feels satisfied from his food, has energy, stamina, a healthy immune system significantly reduces his risk of contracting non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
The food we eat not only affects us physically, but also has a great impact on our mental and social health. Take for example a teen suffering from Type 2 diabetes, (a disease brought on by poor diet), suffers the physical effects of the disease such as frequent urination, thirst and unexplained weight loss; but research has shown that teens suffering from diabetes also have impaired thinking and do not interact well with others in school. Added to this, persons suffering from diseases often have an added medical cost, thereby affecting them financially as well.
When I used to practise unhealthy eating (lots of junk food, ice-cream, pop-corn and other comfort food) I gained fifty pounds which significantly affected my self-esteem. Not to mention my clothes didn't fit any more which cost me unnecessary spending. A short walk made me breathless and I had to deal with a lot of negative comments from friends and family. I became very reclusive and it turned into a vicious cycle for a while. All these woes would have been avoided if I didn't become lazy or gave in to emotional eating.
Thankfully, I'm now on a path to wellness, eating properly, exercising, reading and doing whatever is necessary for my holistic health. Join me on the journey.
Blogs on Nutrition
So What Should Be On Our Plate?
Eating a variety of food from each food group, cooked by healthful methods will give your body the nutrients it needs. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, half your plate should consist of vegetables/fruits, one quarter whole grains (e.g. oats, brown rice, quinoa, corn and buckwheat) and one quarter healthy proteins (such as lean meats, white meat, salmon, mackerel, tuna, low-fat/non-fat Greek yogurt, eggs and egg whites, cottage cheese and milk). Switch to low-fat or fat-free milk, fortified soy milk or yogurt. Use healthy oils such as olive oil, coconut oil and avocado oil.
Vegetables - 2/3 cups
Fruits - 1 1/2 - 2 cups
Grains - 5 - 8 ounces
Dairy - 3 cups
Protein - 5 - 6 1/2 ounces
Oils - 5 -7 teaspoons
Photo courtesy myplate.gov
