NUTRITION

PERSPECTIVES

Tori Casados
HLTH 1020
Professor Megan Christensen
04/20/2018
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 The standard American diet is typically made up of 2,000 calories per day and is

abundant in red meats, dairy products, processed foods, refined sugars and sodium. Minimal

intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains has been the root of the obesity epidemic,

diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Americans aren’t receiving enough essential nutrients from

their diets. Specifically plant based foods which offer fiber and natural fats that help our bodies

prevent disease.

WHAT THE HEALTH is a documentary

that was released in March 2017 which critiqued

the health impact of meat and dairy

consumption. The producer’s name is Kip

Andersen and he is a recovering hypochondriac who has a family history of heart disease,

diabetes and cancer. Both grandparents died of cancer and his father had two heart transplants by

age 50. He dedicated his life to being healthy and did everything possible to achieve it. He did

not drink soda or alcohol, made sure to exercised often and get enough rest. Kip believed he was

following a healthy diet, until he heard the World Health Organization report has classified bacon

and sausage as a carcinogenic to humans! Soon after he made it a point to make as many people

as possible aware of human health being directly correlated to diet.

Andersen and a group of medical professionals are working together to prove that there is

and always will be a link between the American diet and disease. Focusing on preventing

diseases before they arise versus treating and maintaining; exemplified by comparing

Mediterranean diets against American diets. Most Mediterranean diets include fruits, vegetables,

fish and whole grains, while limiting unhealthy fats. A meta-analysis of more than 1.5 million

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healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced

risk of cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. A stark contrast compared to the 17 million

people dying in America every year from cardiovascular disease.

Determining what foods must be assimilated in the human diet, and how much of each, is

still under active study as our way of life is continuously evolving. The Dietary Guidelines for

Americans is published by the government every five years; most of the results are the same

however they are subject to change when scientific discoveries correlating to diets occur. The

recommendations are made to promote a healthy and nutritionally adequate diets for current and

future generations.

Human nutrition is made up of 7 essential nutrients such as, carbohydrates, proteins, fats,

minerals, vitamins, fiber and water. Nutrition expert Joel Fuhrman, MD. States that “Fast food is

far more than just the burgers, fries, and burritos served at chain restaurants; it is also the toxic,

human-engineered products found in every grocery store across America. These include cold

breakfast cereals; commercial and deli meats and cheeses; sandwich breads and buns; chips,

pretzels, and crackers; fried foods; energy bars; and soft drinks.” The negative impact that the

fast food industry has had on human food choices and the subsequent correlation to health and

disease cannot be overlooked. Convenience foods offers very little substance nutrient wise;

whether bought and microwaved at home, or eaten at a fast food restaurant the convenience

factor plays a large role in what we consume. Taking the time to cook nutrient dense meals at

home using fresh foods will help ensure your body is operating at its best.

With diabetes at an all-time high Americans need to adjust their diet to accommodate

healthier bodies from the inside out. Getting all of the 7 essential nutrients is a matter of life or

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death of diabetics. According to the documentary diabetic symptoms can be reduced by choosing

plant based foods. Luckily there are plenty of delicious foods that are compatible with diabetes.

Quinoa, beans, lentils, salmon, berries and leafy greens are just a few of the delicious items that

support diabetic health. Following a healthy meal plan, balancing what you eat, how much you

eat, and when you eat with physical activity are all important in keeping your blood sugar in the

target range.

After learning about the all the benefits that accompany choosing healthier foods, I will

happily incorporate more plant-based selections in my meal planning. However, while it is true

that America’s leading nutrition experts state "eating more fruits and vegetables is beneficial for

the average diet,” I don’t agree that meat, dairy and eggs should be eliminated completely. I am a

foodie and enjoy trying new foods whether it is plant based or incorporates meat. Moderation is

key and variety is beneficial so I will be eating an extensive range of foods paired with a fair

amount of exercise

Works Cited

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“What the Health.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Apr. 2018, What_the_Health.

Films, A.U.M. “Facts.” WHAT THE HEALTH, www.whatthehealthfilm.com/facts/.

Human Nutrition, www.biology-pages.info/N/Nutrition.html.

“Healthy People 2020.” Healthy People 2020, www.healthypeople.gov/.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “ABC Health & Wellbeing.” Is the Food Industry Killing

Us? - Health & Wellbeing, 23 Aug. 2006, www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/

CBN News. “How Fast, Fake and Processed Foods Are Killing Us.” CBN.com - The Christian

Broadcasting Network, 11 Nov. 2017, www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/november/how-fast-fake-and-

processed-foods-are-killing-us .

Gilpin, Lyndsey. “10 Ways Technology Is Changing Our Food.” TechRepublic, www.techrepublic.com/

article/10-ways-technology-is-changing-our-food/.

Lisarachel. “Public Access - How Technology Is Changing the Food Industry?” Engadget, 7 Oct. 2016,

www.engadget.com/2016/09/25/how-technology-is-changing-the-food-industry/.

American Heart Association, www.heart.org/HEARTORG/.

“Hanging Indents.” Google Groups, Google, groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/macvisionaries/

9jaYtRYdR1k.

Cstiehl. “50 Best Foods for Diabetes.” Eat This Not That, Eat This Not That, 20 Apr. 2018,

www.eatthis.com/best-foods-diabetes/.

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