You are What You Eat
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November 11, 2009
Filed under Feature
Do you remember the old adage, “you are what you eat”? Obviously this does not mean that you will start looking like a carrot after incorporating carrot juice into your daily routine, but it does mean that your diet contributes to not only to the state of your health and how you feel, but also to how you look.
People who do not get much exercise, and whose diets mostly consist of junk food (chips, pop, candy, fast food, etc.) are most likely to suffer severe health problems such as heart disease, certain cancers, type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Not to mention, it will show in their appearance.
“I consider myself to be a healthy person, and I try my hardest not to eat crap. A good majority of the food we have at my house is organic. We grow all of our vegetables and get our eggs from our free range chickens. I bring a sack lunch to school so I do not have to eat the school food, and I do not really eat pre-manufactured foods. I am also a vegetarian, so i do not intake unhealthy greases. I work out every other day right now because I am in a fitness class, but as soon as soccer starts it will be everyday,” said senior Molly Rugg.
A balanced diet is critical for your appearance, not just for your skin. Yes, a balanced diet will make your skin look younger and healthier, but it is also needed for healthy bones and your metabolic health, as well as all your other body processes and tissues.
“It takes more discipline than motivation to be healthy. Everyone wants to diet, lose weight and get healthy. They want too many things and do not have the discipline to follow through with it. You have to work at it. It is not easy. It is a lot of hard work,” said Pat Boeh, physical education teacher.
What is a balanced diet? One that is rich in vitamins and minerals, fiber and phytochemicals. This diet will give you lustrous shiny hair, clear eyes, glowing skin, strong teeth and other signs of good internal and metabolic health. Healthy bones are also built by a healthy balanced diet. Your bones are needed to allow you to reach your full height while growing. Your weight is also partially determined by your diet, and one rich in sugars and junk food will cause you to be overweight and negatively affect your appearance.
So basically, to be healthy and to stay healthy you need to eat healthy.
Surveys show that most people consider themselves to be healthy eaters. If that is accurate, then why do we have such a serious epidemic of obesity? The answer, of course, is that many people do not understand what it means to “eat healthy.”
People often confuse the phrases “eat healthy” and “eat proper portions.” It is universally accepted that not eating too much at one time is one of the best things we can do for our health. What you eat, however, is just as important, and perhaps more important, than how much you eat.
“It definitely takes a lot of motivation and discipline to resist all the temptations that society gives us. It is more expensive to eat healthy, it is a lot cheaper to buy a 99 cent bag of chips then it is to buy fruit, but I feel ten times better at the age I am now then when I was a teenager in highschool. It is expensive and hard, but being healthy is so worth it,” said Carrie Pearson, physical education teacher.
Eating healthy foods in the proper portion sizes can make huge improvements in your overall health. When you make these changes, you will notice that you feel better, you have more energy and stamina, and you have more room in that favorite pair of jeans! And if that is not enough to convince you to make some changes, you will also significantly lower your risk of the health problems previously mentioned.
Eating a healthy diet does not mean you have to go without foods you love for the sake of your appearance. Even desserts and favorite sweets can be included once in a while in moderation. The main part of your diet should consist of whole grains, lean proteins, a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, some healthy fats like those found in certain fish and many types of nuts and plenty of water and other fluids that do not contain caffeine or sugar. By including all of these foods in your diet frequently, you will ensure that your body has the needed nutrients to keep you healthy and allow you to grow. If you still have calories left over in your diet and you want a small piece of chocolate or cake, go for it. Even when indulging you can make healthier choices, such as choosing a small slice of carrot cake with cream cheese icing instead of a large chunk of triple layer chocolate cream cake, or a small square of dark chocolate instead of two bars of milk chocolate.
No matter what kind of diet you may have, it is always important to ensure that you are getting all the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs, and to remember you are what you eat.
Calorie burners that may surprise you:
thinking thin 132 calories burned
thumbing through a magazine 273 calories burned
opening a bottle of pop 406 calories burned
scooping out ice cream 655 calories burned
fending off your crazy friends 727 calories burned
planning a team dinner party in less than 24 hours 1,071 calories burned
typing at 70 words per minute 27 calories burned (per minute)
kicking a soccer ball around 289 calories burned
taking off a wet swimsuit 1,500 calories burned
What food can do for you:
Artichokes aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, protects your heart, stabilizes blood sugar, guards against liver disease
Beans prevents constipation, helps hemorrhoids, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, stabilizes blood sugar
Cauliflower protects against prostate cancer, combats breast cancer, strengthens bones, banishes bruises, guards against heart disease
Figs promotes weight loss, helps stop strokes, lowers cholesterol, combats cancer, controls blood pressure
Grapefruit protects against heart attacks, promotes weight loss, helps stop stokes, combats prostate cancer, lowers cholesterol
Mangoes combats cancer, boosts memory, regulates thyroid, aids digestion, shields against Alzheimer’s
Chili Peppers aids digestion, soothes sore throat, clears sinuses, combats cancer, boosts immune system
Prunes slows aging process, prevents constipation, boosts memory, protects against heart disease, lowers cholesterol
Sweet Potatoes saves your eyesight, lifts mood, combats cancer, strengthen bones
Yogurt guards against ulcers, strengthens bones, supports immune system, aids digestion, lowers cholesterol
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Danon Taylor
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