| Did you ever stop think about the role of nutrition, | | | | We do not spend enough time talking and learning |
| health, healthy weight and weight loss? Probably not. | | | | about nutrition. We get sick and we take a pill (which |
| Nutrition is the daily intake of food and nourishment to | | | | may be appropriate). But we rarely talk about what |
| attain and maintain health through all the stages of life. | | | | we eat, how we eat and when we eat. We are told |
| In the early 70's, I taught all my heart patients about diet | | | | to change our diet, but how. It seems daunting. |
| and exercise. I was the "kooky nurse". I believe more | | | | To make matters worse, bad nutrition receives more |
| than ever, when we get sick, we need to get back in | | | | advertising dollars and is portrayed as much more |
| the kitchen and what we are eating. | | | | delicious than healthy food choices. Also poor food |
| Health is taught in schools. I know, that was a long time | | | | choices are all around; they are easy to get to on |
| ago. At that time, you were taught some basics about | | | | every street corner. You walk into a mall, and you are |
| nutrition (diet) and exercise. You might remember the 4 | | | | greeted with smells of cinnamon and sugar or fat and |
| basic food groups. It was shaped like a box with 4 | | | | salt. My mouth is watering just thinking about this. |
| squares (meat/protein, vegetables, starch, fruits). Now | | | | If you want to live a long and happy life, you have to |
| we have gone to the pyramid for the model of | | | | eat well. Eating well includes a wide variety of foods, |
| needed nutrients. | | | | organic is best, in moderate proportions. Healthy eating |
| Nutrition refers to feeding our body, to maintain health. | | | | is also about creating a healthy habit. If your food |
| That includes proteins, carbohydrates, vegetables, | | | | choices have been less than healthy, it will take you |
| fruits, fats, sugars, vitamins, and minerals to support the | | | | several weeks to clear your palette. It takes 21 days |
| body in all its processes. These include, digesting and | | | | to create a new habit. That is 21 days to put you on |
| metabolizing food, sleep/wake cycles, thinking, blood | | | | the road to health. Make a small changes at a time. It |
| sugar control, normal blood pressure, elimination, | | | | will not be so overwhelming. |
| repairing tissues, and more. | | | | |