Posts Tagged ‘right food’
Why We Consider Junk Food an Unhealthy Food
“Why we consider junk food an unhealthy food and why it is called junk Aunt Midas?” my niece asked me yesterday afternoon while we are buying some stuff at the supermarket. I simply answered her that junk foods are bad foods especially those that are preserved, they are not good for the body. Junk food is an unhealthy food, not fit for eating. But she insisted that there are healthy junk foods too because of some nutritional value you could find on its packs that is why eating junk foods is fine. She made me smile that time, yes, all foods have some value but it does not mean that it has a little nutritional value you could categorize it as healthy or nutritious food. I explained to her that junk foods effects, could not be seen immediately, that it takes time before she could see its bad effects.
Why we categorize junk foods as unhealthy foods? Not just because of its low nutritional value that it was called unhealthy food but because of junk foods effects, the hazards it could cause to one’s health. Junk foods are usually high in fats. As we could see on the back label of a junk food, the fats they mostly use are hydrogenated oils, the common term for trans fatty acids or trans fats (could cause cancer). Manufacturers hydrogenate the healthy unsaturated fats so that it will last long. Unfortunately, hydrogenation causes the healthy unsaturated fats to become unhealthy saturated fats which could result to clogged arteries and heart problems. That is just one reason why eating junk foods is not advisable.
And what are some of the junk food effects why junk foods were called an unhealthy foods? High level of salt in a junk food could cause hypertension and, or kidney problems because of its sodium content. If it is a sweet junk food, too much sugar could not only ruin the teeth but could cause obesity and diabetes in the long run. Other junk foods uses aspartame or saccharin as sweetener. These sweeteners has been linked with other health problems including certain cancers in laboratory animals. Have you seen monosodium glutamate (MSG) listed on the junk food content? This additive is flavor enhancer, as we all know it has bad reputation and been controversial that it could cause cancer. Antioxidants such as Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) that are widely use in oils of junk food has been linked with certain cancers in laboratory animals too. Now, tell me, is eating junk foods good for the health? Is there such thing as healthy junk foods or you will consider junk foods now as a group of bad foods? Yes, junk food may contain low nutritional value but junk foods effects are so hazardous to ones health.
Television advertising, greatly affects child’s desire for food, especially on unhealthy foods like junk food. Relatives and friends that gives food to the children is another great factor that influences the child’s choice of food. Parents, just bear in mind that your influence in choosing the right food for your kids is still the greatest influence of all. Though it is a little bit difficult to have complete control over what your children are taking in (especially when they are with friends or relatives) but you can and should control the foods that are available at your home. If junk food or any high sugar, high fat, high salt, low nutrient and preserved foods are not available at your home, the child would be force to eat the nutritious food available. So, the best thing is do not keep foods that you do not want your child to consume, those you consider unhealthy foods for your family like junk food.
Choose The Right Food to Eat if You really Love Your Teeth
“Choose the right food if you really love your teeth. Cavity formation and choice of food is inseparable. Of course time does matter too, the longer your food stays in your mouth, the more your teeth is at risk.” These words echos in my mind since my childhood days. My mom keeps on reminding us about this, especially if we have taken a nap on our dining table while eating because of a boring viand.
In between meals or snacking plays a big role in cavity formation. Almost everybody likes cookies, crackers, pastries and potato chips for snacks. My friend who is a Doctor of Dental Medicine or DDM said that these foods are much more harder to wash away compared to the sticky ones. Parents, aside from the food I have mentioned earlier, discourage your kids to take in any sweets, it may be a hard candy or the sticky ones like caramel during in between meals especially if they have no plan of brushing their teeth after taking in those sweets.
If you really love snacking, why not try plain yogurt, peanuts, other nuts, popcorn, fruits and crunchy vegetables like carrots? These foods are tooth friendly. It exercises your gum and triggers saliva formation. No, I am not saying you need to totally ban cookies, crackers, pastries and potato chips for snacks but minimize it and, if you eat those foods you need to brush and floss your teeth after eating.
Some people has a habit of eating candy or chewing gum after a meal to freshens breath. Chewing a sugarless gum promotes saliva formation thus, it serves the purpose whereas slow to dissolve candies promotes drying of the mouth – which is not good for the health of your teeth.
Eat Fruits And Vegetables For A Better and Longer Life
fruits and vegetables
Do you want to live longer with a body free from health problems? Well, we are on the same tract.
We all know that daily intake of fruits and vegetables is important for us to get supply of essential vitamins and minerals, fibers, and phytochemicals, which are necessary to lower the risks for cancer, micronutrient deficiencies, coronary heart disease and other health problems. Increase consumption of these foods counter the rising prevalence of of child and adult obesity and protects us from other diseases. But, do you know that it is God’s original plan for man’s diet? He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. “Behold,” He said, “I have given you every herb yielding seed,. . . . and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for food.” (Genesis 1:29) Upon leaving Eden to gain his livelihood by tilling the earth under the curse of sin, man received permission to eat also “the herb of the field.” (Genesis 3:18)
Most of today’s health problems are traceable to wrong diet and lifestyle. Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. It offers the right nutritional ingredients to support optimum health. Why not take plenty of these instead of cured meat and other food with preservatives? It is much more cheaper and some of it can be raised even just in pots, if space are not available, at your home. You want more stimulant for you to eat more of this natural food? This is my good news for you, the ailments caused by the intake of unnatural foods can be successfully treated by fruits. Fresh and dry fruits are thus not only a good food but also a good medicine.
Why wait to suffer health problem before eating right? Why wait for your child to be grown up before training him to eat the right food? If you want to live longer and so as your child just remember the original diet God has prepared for us.
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