The Roll of Diet

             When people think of the word diet, it is common for them to think of being deprived of a particular food. However, that is not what a diet truly is. Each on of us has a diet, which is made up of the foods that we eat on a daily basis. If we eat a balanced diet, rich in nutrients, it is these foods that can keep us healthy, prevent us from being underweight, overweight, or obese.

            Our overall health is based on our nutritional input. If we ingest foods that are made up of unhealthy processed fats and fillers, we will not be as healthy as if we were to eat vegetables and fruits along with lean meats and whole grains. Many people do not realize that there are fillers in the foods that they purchase. There is an article called Food Fillers 101 which points out why some of the foods today are less expensive than they have been before. Because of certain foods, and their detrimental effect on the human body, the number of people who are overweight or obese is at an all time high. Moreover, some of the illnesses that are experienced by those who are overweight or obese can also be dealt with by those who are thin. While we know that improper nutrition can lead to weight gain, many do not know that it can also lead to malnutrition. Diseases brought about by undernourishment can bring about weight loss, and even death. Those on either end of the weight spectrum, both underweight and overweight, have a higher rate of mortality. Those who are overweight have a higher risk of disease, and those who are underweight have a higher risk of not being able to survive in case of a prolonged illness. In order to maintain a healthy weight, and not have these issues, a healthy diet as well as daily exercise is key.

            A nutritious diet made up of whole food is important for optimal health. However, another aspect is portion control and the intake of calories. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend that Americans should “control total caloric intake and reduce sodium, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and added sugar consumption” ((Roberto & Khandpur, 2014). However, many people do not understand that not all calories are created equal. As can be seen in the picture below, by choosing the healthier option, not only is the food more nutritious, but there is more of it.  

             Everyone has probably heard the saying “calories in calories out” and think that is all there is to weight control. However, each of our bodies needs energy from food so that our systems can digest, absorb, and transport the food into nutrients to keep us alive. Moreover, without knowing how many calories a body needs for basic function, it is possible that a person could take in too little calories. In this type of situation, their bodies would hold on to every calorie ingested. Having too few calories can lead to being malnourished. In any case, being malnourished could lead to being underweight, overweight, or even obese.  Not only are the amount of calories we take in important to our complete bodily function, but our source of the calories that make up our overall diet is also just as important. 

References

Roberto, C. A., & Khandpur, N. (2014). Improving the design of nutrition labels to promote healthier food choices and reasonable portion sizes. International Journal Of Obesity, 38(S1), S25-S33. doi:10.1038/ijo.2014.86