What is public health? Students in the UGA Health & Wellness class are here to help you find out! They have strategically identified examples in the Athens community that they feel represent public health in action. This blog is dedicated to explaining, understanding, and discussing what their interpretations of public health, as well as their reactions to learning about topics of health and wellness.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Reflection/Reaction: Nutrition


Recently, Ben Gray from UGA's Health Center came in to discuss Nutrition with us. He talked about what eating healthy generally entails. He told us what a good diet consists of and that we do not need to stop unhealthy foods cold turkey, but incorporate healthier foods in your diet more and more. It takes baby steps, and time to change your eating habits. He also gave us the three things you should decrease: solid fats/added sugars, salt, and packed food. You should try to minimize trans-fat, as well. There are also foods you should try to eat more of: vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Although eating a nutritious diet is important, you should still enjoy what you are preparing for yourself. Watch out for your portions, too; just because a food is healthy doesn't mean you should overdo it. Lastly, Mr. Gray helped paint a picture of what a balanced plate should look like. 
This lecture was particularly interesting to me because I love food. The way you can put two very different foods or flavors together, but they will mix perfectly. How certain foods are loved by some, but avoided by others. The different ways food can adjust to a person's lifestyle, like with allergies, gluten-free diets, vegans, etc. Also, it amazed me the different nutrients and benefits various foods provide; for instance, carrots and good for your eyes, apples are hearty in fiber, and broccoli is a powerful cancer fighting vegetable. Plus, I just love to eat. At one point, I loved food so much, I thought "Hey, I would probably love learning about it as well." So, I decided to become a nutritionist. I'm not sure if I'm still on that path; however, the topic of nutrition is still important to me. 
Nutrition is also detrimental to my health. I would like to live a long, healthy life, and food can help with that. I should develop strong bones now, so I can lessen my risk of osteoporosis in the future. I need to keep my brain active and alert, and hopefully I can slow the aging process down and keep my cognitive abilities up. However, not only is this topic important to me, it should be taken seriously when it comes to everyone. Nutrition is a big part of public health. It would fall into the first stage of Prevention Efforts, inhibiting the development of a disease. If you pay attention to your nutrition, eat right, and take care of your body early on, you have less of a chance of getting sick. Nutrition is not only about eating now; it takes a toll in the future as well. We strive for the best quality of life possible.
Mr. Gray did a great job explaining this topic and how we don't need to stop eating what we like to live a better lifestyle. I do not have any questions at this time, but if I do (or if anyone does), I'll make sure to keep him in mind.

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