Persuasive Essay: You Are What You Eat?

Approximately 310,000 to 580,000 deaths occur each year due to the combination of a poor diet and lack of physical activity (Therien). The popular phrase “you are what you eat” has countless interpretations. Some people may argue for and against that phrase. However, I absolutely agree with that phrase. If someone eats unhealthy for an extended period of time, then they are certainly going to be unhealthy. To live longer, it is essential for the human body to receive a proper diet. Various studies indicate that people who follow a healthy lifestyle have a greater life expectancy. In today’s generation, it has become so much easier to grab fast food on the go; however, we do not stop to think about the consequences of eating fast food. There …show more content…
My dad and sister constantly eat and never gain a single pound. They are commonly the ones who don 't agree with the phrase “you are what you eat.” However, just because they don’t gain a pound, does not mean that they are necessarily healthy. They are at great risk of developing problems such as hypertension or high cholesterol. They may have a high metabolism, but their body is still being biologically affected by the unhealthy food that they consume. Type 2 diabetes and heart disease can be consequences of eating fatty foods. An inconsistent sleeping pattern can occur as a result of eating processed foods before sleeping. When I eat processed or fried foods before I go to sleep, I frequently wake up during the night because I’m thirsty. When I eat healthy, I generally choose to eat baked or grilled foods for dinner. This prevents me from waking up at night. Also, I avoid snacking on processed foods because they contain unnecessary preservatives. Processed foods can be more expensive because they are conveniently packaged; hence, I try to make homemade snacks. I make the effort to prepare my own meals because it makes me aware of what is going in my body. I eat salmon once a week because seafood has protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acids, which means it can reduce the possibilities of having a heart attack. Also, it helps me stay full. Eating too much seafood could have a reverse effect; therefore, I only eat it once a week. Lastly, I drink a lot of water because it does not contain unnecessary calories like most sodas do. Establishing healthy changes in my diet saved me from developing long-term biological