Gage Denette
Mrs. Dolan
English 1010-021
September 7, 2016
The American Diet There seems to be a well-established stereotype that depicts Americans as being unhealthy individuals, with not a care in the world as to what they put in their bodies, or how much of it for that matter. For a good amount of Americans this is true. We as a whole are too busy rushing around trying to take care of everything, juggling work, school, kids, extracurriculars and so much more that many don’t take the time necessary to make healthy food choices… This however is neglectful and unfair to our bodies which require an abundance of nutrients from quality sources, regular routine exercise and a consistent sleeping pattern to help the body run at optimum efficiency. …show more content…
These foods are high in Sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, which can lead to health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. “According to a 15 -year study of 3000 adults, people who visited fast food restaurants more than twice per week gained roughly 9 to 11 pounds (4 to 5kg) more than people who visited them less than once per week” (Infographic) This is because these foods aren 't meant to replace full well balanced meals, they are full of all the things our body doesn 't need. Imagine your body is a brand new high end vehicle that requires a specific gasoline, you wouldn’t put low grade gasoline in the tank because that would corrode and degrade your engine faster over time, the same applies to our bodies, what we put in is what we get out and if we are not careful, over time bad eating habits could do some real damage. In order to combat this we need to eat healthy, in order to eat healthy we need to include foods in our diet that are high in nutrients and antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables. We also need whole grains, providing carbohydrates to help us maintain energy throughout the day, protein to build muscle, fiber for healthy digestion, and vitamins and minerals for the maintenance and overall functionality of the human …show more content…
“Too much sitting and other sedentary activities can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. One study showed that adults who watch more than 4 hours of television a day had a 46% increased risk of death from any cause and an 80% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Becoming more active can help lower blood pressure and also boost levels of good cholesterol. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well. People who are physically active and at a healthy weight live about 7 years longer than those who are not active and are obese.” (American Heart Association) Through this we can see that being active has a significant impact on circulatory health, aiding in lowering blood pressure and boosting levels of good cholesterol all while extending life expectancy. Along with the previously mentioned benefits “Regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. You may notice a "feel good sensation" immediately following your physical activity, and most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time as physical activity becomes a part of their routine.” (American Heart Association) From this we can conclude that not only does exercise aid in maintaining circulatory functionality, but also in areas of mental wellness through reducing stress and tension,
Mrs. Dolan
English 1010-021
September 7, 2016
The American Diet There seems to be a well-established stereotype that depicts Americans as being unhealthy individuals, with not a care in the world as to what they put in their bodies, or how much of it for that matter. For a good amount of Americans this is true. We as a whole are too busy rushing around trying to take care of everything, juggling work, school, kids, extracurriculars and so much more that many don’t take the time necessary to make healthy food choices… This however is neglectful and unfair to our bodies which require an abundance of nutrients from quality sources, regular routine exercise and a consistent sleeping pattern to help the body run at optimum efficiency. …show more content…
These foods are high in Sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, which can lead to health problems including high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and obesity. “According to a 15 -year study of 3000 adults, people who visited fast food restaurants more than twice per week gained roughly 9 to 11 pounds (4 to 5kg) more than people who visited them less than once per week” (Infographic) This is because these foods aren 't meant to replace full well balanced meals, they are full of all the things our body doesn 't need. Imagine your body is a brand new high end vehicle that requires a specific gasoline, you wouldn’t put low grade gasoline in the tank because that would corrode and degrade your engine faster over time, the same applies to our bodies, what we put in is what we get out and if we are not careful, over time bad eating habits could do some real damage. In order to combat this we need to eat healthy, in order to eat healthy we need to include foods in our diet that are high in nutrients and antioxidants, like fruits and vegetables. We also need whole grains, providing carbohydrates to help us maintain energy throughout the day, protein to build muscle, fiber for healthy digestion, and vitamins and minerals for the maintenance and overall functionality of the human …show more content…
“Too much sitting and other sedentary activities can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. One study showed that adults who watch more than 4 hours of television a day had a 46% increased risk of death from any cause and an 80% increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease. Becoming more active can help lower blood pressure and also boost levels of good cholesterol. Without regular physical activity, the body slowly loses its strength, stamina and ability to function well. People who are physically active and at a healthy weight live about 7 years longer than those who are not active and are obese.” (American Heart Association) Through this we can see that being active has a significant impact on circulatory health, aiding in lowering blood pressure and boosting levels of good cholesterol all while extending life expectancy. Along with the previously mentioned benefits “Regular physical activity can relieve tension, anxiety, depression and anger. You may notice a "feel good sensation" immediately following your physical activity, and most people also note an improvement in general well-being over time as physical activity becomes a part of their routine.” (American Heart Association) From this we can conclude that not only does exercise aid in maintaining circulatory functionality, but also in areas of mental wellness through reducing stress and tension,