The field of Health Nutrition is an interesting one. Not only does it encompass a great deal of subject matter, but it also involves the study of how nutrition affects the body. This includes such diverse subjects as global health and well being, obesity and the developing world, public health, medical ethics, nutrition education, law and policy, food safety, rural development and food transfer. There are many different journals that publish important research in all these areas. Many libraries have health textbooks that focus on Health Nutrition and related topics.
One of the most important areas of a health study is nutrition and food intake. People need to be aware of what their diets are doing to their bodies and how those diets affect them. How much of fruits and vegetables do they consume? Do they get enough calcium, fats, or other nutrients?
A dietary fat intake is something that many people are not consciously aware of. They lead very busy lives with many commitments and very little time to cook fresh foods. This means that they turn to convenience foods like white bread and baked potato chips instead of wholesome whole foods like fresh produce, nuts, legumes, and grains. Even though refined carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars, they have none of the beneficial characteristics of whole foods. This means that they should be eliminated from the diet.
Fruits and vegetables play a very important role in a healthy dietary patterns and should be eaten in generous portions daily. Including plenty of fruits in the diet helps keep blood glucose levels stable, which helps control blood pressure. Carrots, for example, help lower blood sugar and have antioxidant properties, making them good dietary choices.
Red meat is another big culprit when it comes to causing illness and promoting disease. Processed meats, salted and spicy foods, canned foods, and junk food are examples of unhealthy red meats. In order to get most out of your red meat, choose lean white meat or chicken. Studies have shown that adding more lean meat to your diet can be a great way to improve your health, especially long-term health.
When it comes to fruits and vegetables, the recommended daily intake is about seven servings a day. However, many people are not able to eat this amount due to the availability of fast food, frozen and dried fruits, and other options. The good news is that you do not need a lot of fruits and vegetables to improve your diet and health. Just a few servings a day from a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables will be enough to provide your body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs for good health.
Another area of concern with many diets today is the lack of dietary fat. There is a misconception that low-fat diets are bad for you. However, this is simply not true. The problem is not the amount of dietary fat, but the types of fat in the foods that you consume. For instance, foods that are high in saturated fats are not good for you, but foods that contain unrefined, unsaturated fats are much healthier. Therefore, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats and other healthier types of fat will greatly improve your health.
Eating too many carbohydrates causes weight gain and excessive amounts of insulin build up in the blood stream. To fight against insulin and fat buildup, eat plenty of fiber and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, oats, and bran cereals. These types of carbohydrates are digested slowly by your body and provide your body with energy. This provides long-term health benefits in addition to being healthy eating habits.
