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There is a serious debate about what makes a healthy food. Many people argue that vegetarians eat healthy food and people who eat meat also argue that they eat healthy foods. The fact of the matter is that a healthy food needs good nutrition. In today’s society, people are very conscious about their bodies and their health in general. There are thousands of recipes and nutritional diets that are out there to help in keeping people healthy and being fit. What makes a healthy food is a balanced nutrition. Many people do not have the right nutritional balance in their foods, and this is what causes weight gain. Nutrition is an important aspect of human life (Mayo Clinic).
The food we eat determines how healthy; we are and to some extent affects our life span. In a world where health, fitness has become the new craze and toned figures are lauded as beautiful, many people have been caught up in the frenzy of healthy eating. Healthy food is considered as having low calories and high in nutrients (Devarius). It is also satisfying owing to its nutrient dense. Some foods that are classified as nutritious are vegetables, legumes, wheat and many others. Organically grown vegetables are considered to be healthier as opposed to genetically modified ones. Organic foods are healthy because they have fewer chemical additives. Research in the recent past has shown a relationship between the foods we eat and our ability to fight diseases (Nutrition Team).
Food has proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and it is important to find the right balance in combining these food nutrients. Depending on what they are rich in, the number of calories varies. One needs 0.6 to 1 gram of proteins daily (Nutrition Team). This measure is for each pound of body weight (Nutrition Team). Individuals that are dieting, growing or involved in regular exercise regimens need a higher measure. A healthy diet of vitamins comprises of 5-9 servings of fruit and vegetable servings (Nutrition Team). 30 percent if the daily calories that one takes should be dedicated to fat. On average, one needs 0.8 to 1.2 grams of carbs per pound of bodyweight (Nutrition Team). Immune boosting nutrients that are found in food include vitamins A, D, E and C, zinc, iron, live active culture, calcium and others.
Many people are cautious about buying or eating genetically modified foods (GMO) because of how they are grown. Genetically modified foods are seeds treated with pesticides and sometimes it is also a mix of two different foods. For instance, GMO mixes soybeans and peanuts, orange and lemon seeds and many other combinations. Some of the foods that are grown are not the natural seeds. GMO’s cause allergies and overweight problems due to the mixture of seeds. Conventional growers use synthetic pesticides to protect their crops from diseases, insects and molds. When sprayed on crops, these pesticides can leave a residue on produce, which can then be ingested and result in a number of health complications. One way to avoid this is to thoroughly clean food when preparing it. Organic farmers use insect traps, careful crop selection (disease resistant varieties), and predator insects of beneficial microorganisms to control pests that destroy crops. This also increases the value of their produce in the local market since it has fewer chemicals. However, the government has put safeguards using the relevant government agencies to make sure that the residue found on food that is available in the market does not exceed the government threshold. This means that all produce is approved for human consumption. However this does not necessarily mean it is high in nutritional value.
Also, proper nutrition contributes improves the immune system. When people eat healthy foods, not only do they take off their bodies but they also take care of their immune systems. The human body is an intricate network of proteins, cells, tissues, systems and organs. These are designed to protect the human body from antigens and other organisms that cause diseases (Nutrition Team). When the disease agent gets past this network, it is attacked by white blood cells. Examples of these cells are Killer T-cells, B-cells, lymphocytes, leukocytes, macrophages, and others (Nutrition Team).For these cells to work at best capacity, one must avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and trans fats.
According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, the countries where food is produced to where it is eaten continues to increase as the years go by (ceeonline.org). Processed food travels an average of thirteen hundred food miles (ceeonline.org). Food miles only refer to the transportation cycle of food and how it affects the environment. The causes transportation of food includes a look at greenhouse emissions such as carbon monoxide, which are emitted from the vehicles that transport the food (ceeonline.org). These have an effect on the climate. A more advanced systematic to decide how the food life cycle affects the environment is the life cycle carbon footprint (ceeonline.org). Food miles contributes to the greenhouse effect which has become an issue of great concern as it directly affects the land. Also, many developing countries do not grow much organic food, mostly due to their population. For instance, in the United States organic foods are expensive because most of them important are exported from third world countries.
In the United States, staying healthy is expensive. People cannot afford the luxury of eating healthy recipes and buying organic foods because they are expensive. Healthy foods are expensive whiles unhealthy foods are cheap. The cost of staying healthy is why people opt out from following healthy diets and lifestyles. Many restaurants that serve healthy and nutritious food are expensive while fast food restaurants are cheap. With five dollars someone can get a whole meal at a fast food restaurant, but in places such as Olive Garden and other fancy restaurants this same five dollars might get you only an appetizer. Nutritional diets are important to people, but it cannot be implemented if they cannot afford the food. Eating healthy and staying healthy is important to everybody. Healthy foods help protect the immune system and fight diseases. Nutritional foods also ensure proper growth and prevents obesity and other related diseases. Also, having the right nutrition ensures a proper balance between food nutrients. Nutritious meal contains protein, carbohydrates and fats and not too much of one. Also, nutrition helps in getting people to eat more vegetables and fruits to keep them healthy.
Works Cited
Devarius, Adam. What Makes healthy food healthy? 2014. 26 September 2014 <http://www.answers.com/Q/What_makes_healthy_food_healthy>.
ceeonline.org. Food. 2008. 26 September 2014 <http://www.ceeonline.org/greenGuide/food/upload/environmenthealth.aspx>.
Mayo Clinic. Nutrition Basics. 2014. 26 September 2014 <http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/basics/nutrition-basics/hlv-20049477>.
Nutrition Team. How Food Affects Your Immunity. 20 May 2013. 26 September 2014 <http://www.coreperformance.com/knowledge/nutrition/how-food-affects-your-immunity.html>.
Srivastava, Marla. "Benefits From Eating Healthy." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 9 Jan. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/38822-benefits-eating/>.
