Hannah Galt Reaction Piece

Hannah Galt

February 14, 2013

Reaction Piece

One of the most interesting and what I feel is one of the most important lessons that we have been taught about this far in the semester was the lecture from the guest speaker from the University Health Center, Mr. Ben Gray.  He talked about the importance of nutrition to us as college students and how our diet can and does impact our all-around performance.  He discussed ways that we could plan ahead with our meals, both for students on the meal plan and for those who provide food for themselves.  While some of the things that we talk about in class are not relevant to the entire class, this lesson on nutrition and diet was something that every single person could have gained knowledge and insight from and used in their own day-to-day lives. 

I was particularly interested in this lesson because I have recently been very curious about what exactly I need to feed my body for the best results.  With all the different diets and new ideas floating around, sometimes it can be hard to discern what is and what is not a good idea in regards to eating habits.  The Build My Plate diagram that Mr. Gray explained simplified all of the information into one retainable image that is priceless when trying to decide what to put on my own plate in a dining hall full of food. 

This topic is of major importance in the field of public health.  Although the variables in health are limitless, the food that we put into our bodies is usually the main problem.  Educating the masses about nutrition, similar to how Mr. Gray taught our class, could be a big step in the right direction towards a healthier society.  His belief that food should first of all be delicious, second of all healthy, and third of all cheap is an idea that many, many people can agree with.  What society now needs to learn is how to get their hands on that type of food. 

While Mr. Gray did a great job of a general overview of nutrition, I am still curious about specifics regarding healthy eating.  I would like to know how to read the nutrition facts on labels and truly be able to understand what they mean.  I would like to know about individual foods and what they contain and how they impact the body.  Learning all of this will take time and research but every new piece of information will expand my knowledge and impact my own diet.