Healthy Eating Facts And Figures To Keep In Mind

We’re all aware that staying healthy and fit requires that we attain a balanced diet - get lots of exercise - and also stay away from unhealthy lifestyle habits like smoking - excessive alcohol intake - drugs and others. Those who practice good nutrition - hygiene and regular exercise - often develop healthy habits which they will continue practicing for life - and will keep them healthy for long periods. Here are some healthy eating facts and figures for children - teenagers and adults. 

What Is Nutrition?

According to health experts - the word nutrition refers to the value that we get out of the food we eat. A food item will be deemed nutritious if it provides the required amount of nutrients to support the health of our body - enhance growth - replace lost energy - and allow us to perform at our peak. Nutritious and wholesome foods offer balanced combinations of vitamins - minerals - proteins - carbohydrates - amino acids - antioxidants - fiber and healthy fats. Foods that are not nutritious simply fill our stomachs with unhealthy fats and carbohydrates - which only reduce hunger and bloat our bellies.  

3 Basic Rules For Promoting a Child’s Healthy Diet

In promoting healthy eating habits in children - the food pyramid for kids generally promotes three basic rules for a healthy diet. The rules include variety - balance and moderation. Variety means that a child’s diet must include different food items from each level of the food pyramid - from a wide array of meats - to vegetables and fruits - whole-grain breads - dairy proteins and fibers. Because no single food item is able to supply the amount of nutrients of a growing child - a child’s food choices have to be expanded to include foods of all colors. Balance means eating the right amounts of food from all levels of the food pyramid everyday - and moderation refers to being careful not to eat too much of any type of food item. 

There Is A Link Between Unhealthy Eating Habits And A Negative Self Image

Nutrition experts and psychologists agree that there’s a direct link between unhealthy eating habits and people’s perceptions about their image and body. The use of extreme measures just to control weight is on the rise today - and some adults even complement harsh dieting methods with fasting - the use of laxatives - induced vomiting and taking appetite suppressants. These depressing behavioral patterns are often indicators of incoming eating disorders like bulimia or anorexia nervosa. A number of studies have also indicated that most girls - particularly teenage girls - tend to worry more about weight and diet in their adolescent years. A 1992 study has also indicated that even six to seven year-old girls are known to worry about their figures too - but nevertheless eat too much.  

Healthy eating is a vital piece in the quest for promoting overall well-being - regardless of whether eating has a direct relationship with self-esteem. What’s clear is that people who feel good about themselves often make healthy food choices - and low self-esteem is usually linked with unhealthy eating habits like binging - purging or dieting.