Improving Diet
Rationale: Humans need certain essential nutrients for their bodies to function, including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids (from protein). A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and protein is important to help provide those key nutrients.
Explanation of Diet:
• Consume 3-4 servings of nutritious vegetables and 1-2 servings of fruit each day. (Corn is not a vegetable, it is a grain; potatoes have only limited nutritional value, especially if fried). Fruit juice is less healthy than eating the whole fruit, but better than soda.
• Consume at least 1-2 servings/day of protein (meat, chicken, eggs, nuts, beans).
• Greatly reduce or avoid added sugar (soda, candy, etc.).
• Avoid “junk food” – cookies, fried chips, etc. – they contain empty calories.
• Greatly reduce or avoid fried foods or foods containing transfats.
• Avoid artificial colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
• If possible, eat organic foods as they do not contain pesticides, and have more nutrients (vitamins and minerals). If eating non-organic food, wash fruit and vegetables well if eating the outside.
Benefits:
• Vegetables and fruits contain essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to improve and maintain mental and physical health.
• Protein is needed to provide amino acids, which are the building blocks for neurotransmitters and many other key amino acids and proteins in the body.
• Reduction in sugar intake can prevent rapid rises and falls in blood sugar, which can cause irritability and difficulty concentrating.
• Artificial colors and flavors can irritate some sensitive individuals, causing behavioral and other problems.
• Pesticides often contain toxic metals, and are suspected as a possible cause of some cases of autism.
Rationale: Humans need certain essential nutrients for their bodies to function, including vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, and amino acids (from protein). A balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and protein is important to help provide those key nutrients.
Explanation of Diet:
• Consume 3-4 servings of nutritious vegetables and 1-2 servings of fruit each day. (Corn is not a vegetable, it is a grain; potatoes have only limited nutritional value, especially if fried). Fruit juice is less healthy than eating the whole fruit, but better than soda.
• Consume at least 1-2 servings/day of protein (meat, chicken, eggs, nuts, beans).
• Greatly reduce or avoid added sugar (soda, candy, etc.).
• Avoid “junk food” – cookies, fried chips, etc. – they contain empty calories.
• Greatly reduce or avoid fried foods or foods containing transfats.
• Avoid artificial colors, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
• If possible, eat organic foods as they do not contain pesticides, and have more nutrients (vitamins and minerals). If eating non-organic food, wash fruit and vegetables well if eating the outside.
Benefits:
• Vegetables and fruits contain essential vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to improve and maintain mental and physical health.
• Protein is needed to provide amino acids, which are the building blocks for neurotransmitters and many other key amino acids and proteins in the body.
• Reduction in sugar intake can prevent rapid rises and falls in blood sugar, which can cause irritability and difficulty concentrating.
• Artificial colors and flavors can irritate some sensitive individuals, causing behavioral and other problems.
• Pesticides often contain toxic metals, and are suspected as a possible cause of some cases of autism.
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