Finding the time to eat right is difficult. The stress and rush of daily life makes it harder to think about the things that you are putting into your body. The temptation of cheap high calorie foods does not help the situation. Not only are there fast-food restaurants everywhere, but there are a variety of foods that are available so it can seem impossible to break away from the unhealthy trap.
To eat healthier, it is not about making a rapid change to your diet, but taking a step back to reflect on what you are consuming. First, think about all the foods in our culture that are popular, but not necessarily healthy to eat. In the morning, it is almost too easy to run to the gas station on the way to work and pick up a 44 oz. soda that gets you going. For lunch, grabbing a sweet tea and fries from the dollar menu at fast-food restaurant sounds all too good. What about picking a pizza on the way home to feed the family for dinner? All these options have provided an abundance of foods that are high in calories, fat, sodium content, and low in nutritional value. Prolonged intake of these foods has been proven to decrease the longevity of a person’s life.
As far as health, people cannot control their genetics, but they can control what foods they are eating. Good nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy life and preventing chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
In Montgomery County there is a 29 percent adult obesity rate, which is ranked 22nd out of 92 counties in Indiana. While this is above average, there is always room to improve. Replacing a 44 oz. pop in the morning with water or choosing a salad over a large fries is an effective strategy that everyone can use. The important thing is to start small and be conscious of the healthier options you can take.
To eat healthy, you don’t have to spend a lot of money. Many fads and expensive diets claim they have the best blend of ingredients, healthiest foods or quickest results; moreover, the truth is, the majority of these are clever marketing strategies that want you to think there is something special about their food.
Simply becoming aware about the nutritional values of different types food and choosing a healthier option is a good place to start. You can do this by comparing the nutrition labels of the same foods at the grocery store or searching the nutritional values of foods on your phone. Visit the FDA website https://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/ucm274593.htm to learn more about reading nutrition labels. Let’s all work together and spread awareness to prevent diseases by eating what is right for you.
Here’s an easy to make, healthy replacement to ice cream.
1 avocado
1 carrot
4 cups of ice
4 heaping tablespoons of Nesquik
1/3 cup of coffee French vanilla coffee creamer
Blend and enjoy.
Sam Marksberry, Wabash College ‘21, is an intern with the Montgomery County Health Department.
