The Wright Times

Katarzyna Powroznik

Food portions we get at restaurants and grocery stores today are much larger than what we were accustomed to in the past. Moreover, we have very easy access to food. Compared to our ancestors who had to hunt for hours sometimes maybe even for days to fill their stomachs, we are very lucky. But because of the invention of vending machines and fast food, people eat whenever they are stressed out, don't get enough affection, or suffer from low self-esteem. While others just eat to kill the boredom, the problem is we don't think before we eat. While it's good we don't have to look for food, the food we eat determines how we look. Speaking to Wright College students, I was not surprised to find many with poor eating habits. However, I was pleased to know there were many students aware of healthy eating. These are two model examples: Samantha Charles, a 19- year-old nursing mother, said giving birth to her daughter inspired her to watch her diet. Charles replaced soda with juice and water and stopped eating between meals. For her, breakfast is very important and has to be very nutritious. According to the book "10 Essential Steps to a Better Body and Healthier Life," eating breakfast can prevent overeating during the day. The first meal should contain a lot of fiber, which not only lowers blood cholesterol but also stimulates the gastrointestinal tract. Jennifer Valentine also admitted that breakfast is the most important meal for her. "Everyday for breakfast I drink coffee and have the choice of cereal with milk, toast or a banana. For dinner I cook fish - at least twice a week - or chicken with green vegetables." Valentine also said that she goes for a 1-2 mile walk at least twice a week. In her book "Complete Food and Nutrition Guide" Roberta Larson Duyff, states that variety gives required nutrition. She encourages a diet composed of all the meals of food products from each food group: grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, meat and beans. Duyff also states that the human body needs 1,600 to 3,200 calories per day, depending on the individual, and also stresses how important it is to be active for at least 30 minutes a day. Exercise speeds up the metabolism, helps to lower the cholesterol and blood pressure, and keeps the heart healthy. The book also states that an excess of processed foods poor in vitamins, minerals, and fiber can cause diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. To become a healthy person, it is essential to partake in a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. They are good sources of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants. Eliminating food rich in saturated fat, which can lead to a heart attack, is important. Eating is important to produce energy to breath, move, and circulate the blood. But eating right can give us the opportunity to stay healthy and avoid many dangerous diseases.
Katarzyna Powroznik writes for Zdrowie, Uroda i Zycie, a Polish monthly magazine.

Article Tools