Chapter 8 Making Healthy Choices 135
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Knowing
about nutrients gives you an idea
of the important roles food can play in health.
However, you need to know a bit more to choose
foods that will supply adequate amounts of
nutrients. Some general guidelines can help you
select a nutritious diet. You can use these guide-
lines when shopping for food, preparing food,
and eating out.
Keep in mind that selecting nutritious
foods is not the only choice people can make
to benefit their health. Making a point of being
physically active and getting enough rest are
healthy choices. Opting to avoid hazards and
take safety measures are wise decisions, too. Of
course, factors like heredity and surroundings
also have an effect on well-being. Such factors are
often beyond control. However, making healthy
choices when they can allows people to take an
active role in managing their wellness.
Benefits of Healthy
Choices
Choosing a diet that provides the body with
needed amounts of all the nutrients can benefit
people in many ways. This important choice,
along with other healthy lifestyle choices, can
affect physical health and appearance. It can have
social and mental benefits, too (Figure 8.1).
Physical Benefits
Many of today’s top physical health issues
are related to diet and activity. Eating too much
and moving too little can lead to obesity. Obesity
increases the risks of heart disease, cancer,
stroke, and diabetes. Some of these diseases are
at the root of disabilities. For instance, diabetes
often results in blindness and limb amputations.
These diseases are also major causes of death in
the United States.
Eat foods within daily calorie needs. Focus
on fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains
to get plenty of dietary fiber. Choose low-fat
dairy products and lean proteins to curb (limit)
saturated fats. Select fish, nuts, and seeds to
get healthy oils. Limit sugar-sweetened drinks
and other sources of added sugars. Get regular
physical exercise, too. These choices are part of
the best defense against chief health concerns in
today’s society.
In addition, make choices that provide an
adequate supply of vitamins and minerals.
Getting needed nutrients can help people main-
tain good health and may improve their health.
A case in point, carbohydrates provide energy,
and B vitamins help the body use carbohydrates.
When people get enough of these nutrients, they
can avoid deficiency symptoms. They will also
have the fuel they need to do daily tasks.
Getting enough nutrients in the diet can
benefit appearance as well as health. Vitamin A
and the B vitamins promote smooth skin.
Fluoride and calcium help form strong teeth.
Protein is needed to build well-defined muscles.
Nutrients also play a role in keeping hair shiny
and nails healthy. Getting needed nutrients helps
people look their best.
Social Benefits
Physical benefits of healthy choices can
transfer to social areas as well. For instance, by
affecting health and appearance, nutritious food
choices can promote job performance. People
who are in good health will miss less work due
to illness. They find it easier to stay focused on
tasks and give their best efforts. They are better
equipped to manage stress and achieve success.
MBI/Shutterstock.com
Figure 8.1 Healthy lifestyle choices can benefit your
performance in school.
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Knowing
about nutrients gives you an idea
of the important roles food can play in health.
However, you need to know a bit more to choose
foods that will supply adequate amounts of
nutrients. Some general guidelines can help you
select a nutritious diet. You can use these guide-
lines when shopping for food, preparing food,
and eating out.
Keep in mind that selecting nutritious
foods is not the only choice people can make
to benefit their health. Making a point of being
physically active and getting enough rest are
healthy choices. Opting to avoid hazards and
take safety measures are wise decisions, too. Of
course, factors like heredity and surroundings
also have an effect on well-being. Such factors are
often beyond control. However, making healthy
choices when they can allows people to take an
active role in managing their wellness.
Benefits of Healthy
Choices
Choosing a diet that provides the body with
needed amounts of all the nutrients can benefit
people in many ways. This important choice,
along with other healthy lifestyle choices, can
affect physical health and appearance. It can have
social and mental benefits, too (Figure 8.1).
Physical Benefits
Many of today’s top physical health issues
are related to diet and activity. Eating too much
and moving too little can lead to obesity. Obesity
increases the risks of heart disease, cancer,
stroke, and diabetes. Some of these diseases are
at the root of disabilities. For instance, diabetes
often results in blindness and limb amputations.
These diseases are also major causes of death in
the United States.
Eat foods within daily calorie needs. Focus
on fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains
to get plenty of dietary fiber. Choose low-fat
dairy products and lean proteins to curb (limit)
saturated fats. Select fish, nuts, and seeds to
get healthy oils. Limit sugar-sweetened drinks
and other sources of added sugars. Get regular
physical exercise, too. These choices are part of
the best defense against chief health concerns in
today’s society.
In addition, make choices that provide an
adequate supply of vitamins and minerals.
Getting needed nutrients can help people main-
tain good health and may improve their health.
A case in point, carbohydrates provide energy,
and B vitamins help the body use carbohydrates.
When people get enough of these nutrients, they
can avoid deficiency symptoms. They will also
have the fuel they need to do daily tasks.
Getting enough nutrients in the diet can
benefit appearance as well as health. Vitamin A
and the B vitamins promote smooth skin.
Fluoride and calcium help form strong teeth.
Protein is needed to build well-defined muscles.
Nutrients also play a role in keeping hair shiny
and nails healthy. Getting needed nutrients helps
people look their best.
Social Benefits
Physical benefits of healthy choices can
transfer to social areas as well. For instance, by
affecting health and appearance, nutritious food
choices can promote job performance. People
who are in good health will miss less work due
to illness. They find it easier to stay focused on
tasks and give their best efforts. They are better
equipped to manage stress and achieve success.
MBI/Shutterstock.com
Figure 8.1 Healthy lifestyle choices can benefit your
performance in school.