Nutrition at It’s Core A well balanced nutrition sets the foundation for controlling any type of weight, whether it be losing, gaining or maintaining weight. Higher prices on produce and expensive gym memberships are the arguments many use to try validating their eating habits and lack of physical activity. Yes, it is true; the price of healthy food is a little more than junk foods and fast foods. Are our bodies not worth that price? Our health should be our main priority in life, as nothing else would be possible if we could not function properly. In recent years, being overweight and obese has taken more lives than starvation. Many individuals are eager to invest in their money, education, vehicles, real estate, and more, yet too many neglect their bodies and health. An easy way to break down nutrition is to view food as fuel. Our bodies need protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals. Although chocolate, fast food, chips and candy may taste amazing, viewing these foods from a health stance might change your mind about snacking and splurging. If we start educating ourselves about nutrition and our body’s needs rather than our wants, we, as a nation and as a world, could help lower the rapidly increasing obesity rates. Viewing food as fuel is similar to how we must put gas in our cars. We cannot put the wrong type of fuel (in a car, whether it be bad /old gas or diesel fuel in a gas tank) into our bodies and expect to have enough energy to sustain our busy lives. Fueling our bodies correctly will help maintain focus, energy, skin, muscles and joint function.
Many foods may advertise being fat or sugar free, low fat, reduced fat, all natural, heart healthy, no trans fat, etc. Knowing what these labels mean will significantly aid in healthy food selection. Reading and understanding nutrition labels is the main focus when choosing healthy foods. Start by noting the size of a single serving and how many servings are in the package. Next check the total calories per serving. Look at the serving size and how many servings you’re actually consuming. If you double the servings you eat, you double the calories and nutrients, including the Percent Daily Value (% DV). You need to limit total fat to no more than 56–78 grams a day, including no more than 16 grams of saturated fat, less than two grams of trans fat, and less than 300 mg cholesterol (for a 2,000 calorie diet). Get enough of the good, beneficial nutrients and get 100 percent of the fiber, vitamins and other nutrients you will need every day.
The Nutrition Facts label is required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on most packaged foods and beverages. The Nutrition Facts label provides detailed information about a food's nutrient content, such as the amount of fat, sodium and fiber it has. Knowing how to read food labels is especially important if you have health conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or need to reduce fat intake (in order to aid in weight loss) and need to follow a special diet. It also makes it easier to compare similar foods to see which a healthier choice is. The more practice you get reading food labels, the better you can become in using them as a tool to plan your healthy, balanced diet.
Many foods that are less expensive; chips, pop, fast food, etc are also less nutritious. These foods contain little to no vitamins, minerals, fiber or protein. Many individuals argue that they cannot afford healthy produce, yet will use the convenience of drive through fast food multiple times a week. Prices on produce, even locally grown produce, rise yearly, even seasonally. Stores like Whole Foods and organic sections in local stores are normally double or triple the prices of regular produce.
The term “organic” refers to the way agricultural products are processed and grown. Specific requirements must be met and maintained in order for products to be labeled as "organic". Organic crops must be grown in safe