Health and nutrition are hot topics in the news, in magazines, in school, at your doctor’s office, and even on Twitter and blog sites. Today, we hear about health and nutrition everywhere.
When Did Health and Nutrition Become Important?
Health and nutrition became an important focus during World War II when a committee was formed to investigate how nutrition might “affect national defense” (Nestle, 35). Since then many ideas have been presented to ensure people maintain a good healthy lifestyle.
In 1941 the Food and Nutrition Board met to set recommendations for a standard daily allowance of each type of nutrient needed by our bodies. Initially, the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) standards provided nutritional guidance specifically for the armed forces and for people overseas who needed food relief.
Over time, the RDAs became standards for everyone. The RDAs were revised every five to ten years and in the 1950s information about the suggested number of servings for each food group was added.
In 1997, the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) system was introduced. The DRI system is based on the RDAs and is used to establish well balanced diets for schools, prisons, nursing homes, and hospitals.
Controversy Along The Way
Of course, because the topic of health and nutrition is so important, as decisions were made about RDAs there was (and there still is) plenty of controversy.
Some researchers believe the RDA standards are too low and that they should recommend higher percentages of nutritional intake. Other scientists claim that a person’s body type should contribute to decisions about what types of foods should be eaten or avoided.
Many health officials advise us to limit our total fat intake to a low percentage of our daily calories; while others claim eating a good portion of fat in the diet is actually healthy.
Many weightloss programs claim their diet regimen is healthy for everyone, but some people do well eating certain foods such as meat or grain products, while others do better eating cheeses or high fat and high protein foods.
Every person has his or her own unique genetic structure. A diet that serves one person may not serve another.
So Who Is Right? How Do I Know What To Eat To Be Healthy?
While the RDAs provide excellent guidance for a well balanced diet, you are the expert when it comes to your body. Allow your body to tell you what foods are best for you. You know better than anyone how your body reacts to certain foods.
It is a good idea to follow a daily regimen, but you should also experiment with different foods and observe your body’s reaction to them. For example, when you eat meat, how do you feel afterwards? Do you feel energetic, alive, and balanced? Or do you feel tired or have indigestion?
Below is a basic regimen that can be adapted based on what you observe as your body’s reaction to different foods such as meats and breads.
Eat 4 to 5 fruits each day. That’s a lot to eat, so you might try juicing them. You can combine many fruits to make great tasting juice. Juicers made today are easy to use, easy to clean, and usually require very little preparation so juicing can be done quickly.
Eat as many raw vegetables as you can every day. Dark green vegetables contain chlorophyll which is very beneficial for your health. The fiber in vegetables is important for proper bowel health and elimination.
Juicing vegetables allows you to consume more than you could if you ate raw vegetables. Juicing also allows your body to absorb the nutrients much more quickly and easily. Be creative, many combinations can be juiced together for great tasting, nutritious drinks.
Use healthy oils every day. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or pumpkin oil on all your raw salads; or stir them into your juiced vegetables for added flavor.
Your body needs a certain amount of the right kind of fats and oils each day. Fats in prepared and pre-packaged foods contain hydrogenated oils which are bad for you. Try to avoid commercially processed foods when possible.
Some Final Words of Wisdom
You are the only person who will make sure your body receives the proper amount of nutrients; you are the one responsible for your body’s nutrition and health.
Remember: Just because your belly is full and you are no longer hungry, does not mean you have really nourished your body. Be sure to put the right amounts of the right foods in your body everyday. Juicing makes that easy and allows you to get nutrients into your system quickly.
Disclaimer: Throughout this article, statements are made pertaining to the properties and/or functions of food and/or nutritional products. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and these materials and products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.