You Are What You Eat
You've no doubt heard the saying, "You are what you eat", as it typically pertains to encouraging people to be more health conscious- and really consider each food before it enters the mouth! In America in fact, a commercial for a popular brand of cereal bars actually depicted people walking out of donut shops and bakeries in costumes of the food that they ordered for breakfast, and of course, everyone stared at the donut shaped person walking into the office. The idea behind the phrase, "you are what you eat", is if you don't want to look like you eat donuts every morning for breakfast and fast food every night for dinner, you need to eat healthier.
Around the world, countries each have their own special recipes and cooking habits that contribute to the overall health of the countries residents.
Obviously, there are healthy and unhealthy eaters within every country, but there are statistics of each country that prove that some are simply healthier than others, based on the types of meals they eat on a regular basis.
As more countries are starting to include recipes from other parts of the world in their own meal planning, the statistics of the countries health based on eating habits are started to convey those changes. For example, Asian countries who in the past only ate red meats occasionally, approximately once a month, are starting to include more meat in their diets as they accept more westernized recipes, and the number of people who have cancer and diabetes in those countries are starting to rise in correspondence with the changing of their typical eating habits - for reference see http://www.recipes.gb.com
Food is a necessity to live; people need the nutrients and vitamins from the food we eat to survive, but food has certainly become far more than a means of survival for most people. While we should be "eating to live", most of us "live to eat"! This is probably because of the availability of food- you can drive through any neighborhood and pass a fast food restaurant, maybe even with a drive thru- meaning you never have to get out of your car to order and receive an entire meal. Grocery stores are stocked with the necessities of vegetables, fruits, meats and dairy products- but they also have aisles and aisles of fatty, non nutritional items like potato chips, cookies, and other snack foods that offer little more than calories to our diets.
So the next time you are shopping for food, remember the phrase, "you are what you eat", and concentrate on buying products that are going to contribute to the nutrients and vitamin needs that make up our "eating to live" mentality, rather than just filling your grocery cart with the things you may love to eat. You can certainly find recipes that are full of flavor and tastes that are healthy for you, as well. Look to other nationalities meals for food ideas, and search for recipes online and purchase cook books or head to the library for a cook book to spark ideas for new meals that are healthy and delicious!
Phil Edwards is a writer, cooking enthusiast and author of http://www.recipes.gb.com and http://www.diamonds-jewelry.co.uk
MORE RESOURCES:
Kids' Cereals Packing Some Nutrition Punch CBS News, NY - Have you consumed myths about diet and nutrition? Take these quizzes to find out. (CBS) You probably struggle to find your kids just the right cereal for ... |
Recognise the power of good nutrition Indian Express, India - If I were to search for a flipside in my otherwise highly fulfilling vocation as a nutritional consultant it would have to be the persistent — and at times ... |
San Mateo County drops nutrition ordinance dropped in reaction to Inside Bay Area, CA - California last week became the first state to force chain eateries to disclose nutrition facts after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill 1420, ... The Insider: San Mateo County lawmakers feel cruel sting of ... |
A holistic approach to nutrition during the holidays Suburban News, NJ - The next meeting will be Oct. 15 at 7 pm and the Union County Chapter will be presenting "A Holistic Approach to Nutrition during the Holiday Season," ... |
 Examiner.com | Kids and nutrition: How much sugar is in that cereal bowl? Examiner.com - In addition to the somewhat dubious nutritional value of the sugar-coated cereals (ever notice how these products are part of a nutritious breakfast as long ... |
NUTRITION GIVES PARENTS FOOD FOR THOUGHT ; ++ NEW STANDARDS ... RedOrbit, TX - From September, the government introduced new nutritional standards that apply to all primary school lunches across the country. ... |
Nutrition Wise: Caffeine as a Diuretic, Body Fat Percentage Scales ... Kansas City infoZine, MO - By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN - Q: Is it true that caffeine-containing drinks have a diuretic effect and result in a loss of fluid? ... |
Use Easy Tip to Count Nutrition on One Hand RedOrbit, TX - By CAROL RINI You don't have to be a nutrition expert to make healthy food choices if you follow a couple rules of thumb. One such rule says to shop the ... |
Hawaii Health Department Sponsors Statewide Physical Activity and ... Hawaii Reporter, HI - The forum was a follow-up to last year’s Physical Activity and Nutrition (PAN) Summit, where professionals and community members gathered to learn about ... |
Financial firms need 'nutrition labels' Christian Science Monitor, MA - Given the similarity of products and services among them, a good "nutrition" label that tells me the health history of the company and what will happen to ... |
Enjoy The Holidays Healthfully
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays are a time when our eyes are often bigger than our stomach! Many of us wonder how we will get through them without gaining 5 or 10 pounds. So how can you feel great after parties and meals instead of overstuffed and uncomfortable?Your stomach cannot miraculously hold more food just because it's the holidays.
6 Power Foods For Your Heart
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States for both men and women. Traditionally, a low fat diet has been the prescription for heart health which causes many people to shrink away.
Finding the Elusive Complete-Protein Source
Images of "protein powder" containers with accomplished bodybuilders on their labels help inform consumers that protein is a critical macronutrient in strength training success. Yet what is sometimes lost in this protein-bodybuilding link is that protein is an essential component for everyone, regardless of physical activity.
MonaVie Acai Berry Juice - The Tree of Life from Amazonian Rainforest...
What ancient tribes and people of the Amazon have known for centuries, the world is just discovering. That an ancient berry, called the Acai Berry, may cause a sexual sensation.
Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers to the MericleDiet newsletter, "Reference your tip regarding diabetes. The only sugar I use is brown and is this a concern in my case?"Answer:The word "brown" has gotten a lot of play lately regarding "healthy eating.
The Benefits Of Drinking Herbal Teas
Herbal teas have long been known to have medicinal benefits as well as being tasty to drink! Some of my favorite teas are chamomile tea, jasmine tea and ginger tea. Each of these has a distinctive taste as well as health benefit.
Fish Oil Data-some new facts about Fish Oil
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the Z one Diet Plan Dr. Barry Sears, studies are increasingly focusing on high dose fish oil.
5 Tips To Lower Your Cholesterol
Cholesterol has been around for thousands of years. It's a natural function of the human body.
Eat Right For A Healthy Life
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of our body. It is clearly mentioned in an Ayurvedic classic 'Charak Samhita' that consuming improper diet in improper way is the main cause of 'Disease'.
Aggressive Behaviour Seems To Be Triggered By Early Age Diet
The fact that diet directly affects behaviour is no news, on the contrary, this reality has been perceived a very long time ago, as the old saying "a man is what he eats" proves. Studies have been performed to ascertain the degree in which this happens.
Three Cheers for Heart Healthy Oils!
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at your local grocery store over the past few years. While once your options were limited to corn, canola, safflower and maybe olive oil, now your choices include walnut, almond, grapeseed and other types of oil as well.
How You Can Support Your Immune System
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited fear among the American public, emptied Chinatowns all over North America and stopped much of the travel between the U.S.
Nutrition Know-how: Seven Simple Ways to Eat Healthier (with Strawberry Orange Sorbet Recipe)
The key to better health is learning the difference between healthy and unhealthy nutrients. The choices we make greatly affect our health.
The Glycemic Index and Dieting
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams, models, acronyms, and abbreviations; more than the average person can memorize. As such, one often comes across someone who has simply burnt out trying to keep track of how much to eat, when to eat it, how to find the calories from fat, the RDI, the DV, and so on.
Your Target of Health is Easy
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called health, yet have no idea what it would look like if we had it. We are going after this elusive thing, but we really have never stopped to think about what it was.
Ever Hear of This Fruit?
I want to tell you about the most healthful and most delicious tropical fruit that you'd ever want to taste. It's called the mangosteen, and the reason you've probably never heard of it is because you can't buy it in the United States.
Constipation Cures Exposed!
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking for some answers to bring relief. Treatments for constipation vary with the type of constipation from which you're suffering.
The Importance of Water
Water is the most abundant substance in the human body. It is a component of virtually everything, except tooth enamel and bone.
Lifestyle Wellness
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a strong wind, nor a surge of pressure, nor a fit of passion, nor anything, can throw you off when your body, mind and spirit are in perfect balance. -Unknown'WELLNESS'.
The Macronutrient Balancing Act
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice, for there is a clear understanding of which fats, and which carbohydrates should be eaten for optimal health.For too long, healthy eaters with a range of diet or weight loss goals were provided with confusing, sometimes counterproductive information with respect to carbohydrates and fats.