Healthy Intake of Foods Causes Longer Lifespans

The Food Pyramid provides a healthy choice of natural foods

          

By Jason Nowa

        

           The food our country is in taking at a rapid rate is a problem of concern in the eyes of many nutritionists and doctors that have been interviewed in our nation.

            Marie Midi, a nutrition teacher at Utah Valley University says, “Our country is in the lazy mode  of getting a quick fix as fast as possible which means eating fast food every day and yet we wonder why we are getting obese and having more health problems in our society.”

            It is commonly known that through our country is very wealthy and has much supply; Americans have been researched for their early death rates in the last 30 years. High blood pressures, obesity, heart problems, diabetes, or cancer is among the negative effects that our society has to deal with in a lot of circumstances due to bad nutritionalhabits. The types of foods we are in taking into our bodies are causing a negative effect within our society. Health problems due to food intake are becoming a serious concern.

The Social Soup series of presentations at the University of Utah has an open panel to discuss healthy food selections. The Social Soup series is a monthly reflection on the social, economic, and environmental issues surrounding food. It is a great opportunity to talk about our health and the foods we eat. The society in which we live can learn to take a step back and see the negative effects of quick and fast food. Taking extra time to prepare a solid meal will go a long way to help our health. The next Social Soup series is October 23 in the Gould Auditorium on the first floor of the library. The last series will be on November 13 reflecting around a foodstamp challenge.

The director of the Social Soup series said that if you volunteer at the campus gardens that you will be fed for free and be given a variety of vegetables and fruits to take home with you. There are many examples of how to cook healthy yet on a budget at the Social Soup event. The school also had a Farmers Market that was on campus throughout the last few months. Around Salt Lake City there are many opportunities to attend Thursday Farmer Market events. The food is fresh and usually at a cheap price.

Create a plan first of what you will eat or not eat and how exercise will be incorporated. A few things to take away here can be a determination to try to get an hour of exercise every day, at the very least 20 minutes. Avoid high cholesterol foods, and eat more foods which naturally lower your blood cholesterol. Reduce intake of high sodium foods, and sugars. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and fiber foods. Following the food pyramid is a great plan of where to start. Enough sleep is also necessary to help with your energy level so that you do not eat as much if you become weak.