What to Eat and Why!

Essay by JustCallMeJenHigh School, 10th gradeA-, November 2003

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What To Eat and Why!

Do you think what you eat is considered healthy? Understanding the impact of our food choices is an important step along the path to reaching optimal health. One may be unaware of the fact, that what you eat is a major factor of your health now, and in the long run. Your body functions on the energy it derives from the foods you eat. Making positive choices in your diet every day promotes good nutrition, and good health, reducing the risk of disease.

So what is considered a healthy diet? According to scientists, a healthy diet consists of a varied, relatively diet of unprocessed foods. So, what do we eat to obtain optimal health?

Do you ever wonder how to eat a balanced diet? Or how many calories you should have each day? According to the US Department of Agriculture, teens need about 2200 calories per day.

These calories should be chosen from low-fat, lean foods from the 5 major food groups of the Food Guide Pyramid. However modern diets are disproving the pyramid, because people constantly trying to lose weight. The Food Guide Pyramid is an outline of what to eat each day. It's a guide that helps you choose a healthy diet. At the top of the pyramid are foods you should eat only in small amounts. For food groups located closer to the base of the pyramid, the recommended number of servings increases. The Food Guide Pyramid says to eat a variety of foods to get the nutrients you need. There are many ways to create a healthy eating pattern, but they all start with the three food groups at the base of the pyramid: grains, fruits, and vegetables.

People do choose a wide variety of foods. However, people often choose...