Reaction/Reflection on Nutrition

Nutrition is a very important topic regarding public and individual health.  The lecture the guest speaker Ben gave really interested me and made me realize certain aspects of nutrition I did not previously know.  Nutrition is important for many reasons including quality of life and the future.  So many different aspects of life affect nutrition.  Many people believe what you eat and how much you exercise are the only things that affect overall nutrition.  While the types of foods eaten and exercise are very important, other aspects of life that greatly affect nutrition include sleep, stress, and mental health.  The topic of nutrition interested me because I want to be able to do everything I can to have the best quality and quantity of life. My family was always very active and healthy growing up, and I want to continue these healthy habits through my life.  I also know of some diseases that run in my family and being as nutritious as possible can help to prevent me from being diagnosed with the diseases.  I also have had friends that use crash diets and have many health related issues because of them.  I want to give my body the nutrients it needs to work the best it can.  Nutrition affects my life every day.  Every time I eat a meal I have a choice to be healthy and have a well balanced diet, or I can chose to eat foods with great amounts of fats and sugars.  Nutrition also affects my social life and family.  I want both my family and friends to be healthy so they can be happy, healthy, and have the capability to do many different things.  In the United States over the past twenty years, obesity has drastically increased.  This decline in nutrition presents our country with a national public health issue.  While obesity ranks as one of the most harmful health problems, the good news is that it is completely preventable.  Actions need to be taken at the national level because the rise in unhealthy lifestyle habits affects the entire population.  There are many avenues to begin to reverse of obesity in America.  The government and the American people need to make the choice to become more nutritious and use recourses such as the “My Plate” and actually read the labels on goods bought.  I do still have a few questions regarding nutrition including different choices such as vegetarianism and veganism and if it is a nutritious and healthy choice. Also, I have heard many things about the time you eat meals and how it affects how the body metabolizes the food. I would like to know more information about these two health questions.