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Part 1 The Importance of Food
Food meets two basic physical needs. First, food eases hunger. Second, it can
affect your overall state of health.
Relieves Hunger
A complex system within your body senses when you need a fresh supply of the
materials food provides. This system involves your digestive tract, which sends a
message to your brain. Your brain receives this message and gives a signal, which you
recognize as hunger. Hunger is the physical need for food. The hunger signal stimu-
lates your stomach to produce hunger pangs. The hunger signal may also stimulate
your appetite, which is a psychological desire to eat.
You can choose how you respond to the sensations of hunger and appetite. If you
choose to eat, food relieves your hunger and the pangs in your stomach go away. If you
choose not to eat, the pangs are likely to become more intense. You may experience
other symptoms as hunger continues, such as a headache or dizziness.
Your appetite has a greater infl uence on your food choices than your hunger. Any
food will relieve hunger, but only certain foods will satisfy your appetite. For instance, if
you eat meat loaf when you have a taste for pizza, your appetite will not be satisfi ed.
Improves Wellness
Wellness is the state of being in overall good health. It involves mental and social
health as well as physical health. Wellness is a goal most people actively try to achieve.
The three areas of wellness—physical health, mental health, and social health—all
affect one another. Sensible food choices can help improve all three areas.
In terms of physical health, or the health of your body, food does more than relieve
hunger. Food helps you grow and develop normally. It can help you avoid developing
certain diseases, too. Your mental health is the health of your mind. One sign of good
mental health and overall wellness is an ability to handle stress. Stress is mental and
physical tension caused by change. For instance, moving to a new community creates
many changes. Some of these changes may be positive, such as living in a nicer home.
Some of the changes may be negative, such as seeing less of your friends in the old
neighborhood. In both cases, the changes can cause stress.
Your social health refers to the health of your relationships with other people. Eating
healthful foods can help you feel strong and energetic. This strength and energy can
give you confi dence to be more outgoing as you
interact with others. Food also affects the social
aspect of wellness by being an important part of
many social gatherings.
Cultural Infl uences on
Food Choices
What do you choose to eat when you are
hungry? Where do you usually eat? Who is with
you when you eat? When do you eat? How does
food make you feel?
Managing Stress
Food can help you
manage stress. When you
eat the foods your body
needs, you are less likely to
develop certain illnesses.
Illness can be a major
source of stress. Therefore, preventing illness through careful
food choices can help you avoid stress and improve your mental
health. Eating well can also give you the strength to face stressful
situations when they arise.
Health and Wellness Health and Wellness