2017 miles Day 60

The first day of March and the beginning of another challenge:

March

Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day

Avoid eating Processed Food

There is no doubt that health and nutrition are closely related.  This month my focus will be on making healthy food choices along with keeping up with the January hydration challenge and the February exercise challenge.  I am not a Nutritionist, nor do I claim to be anything but a person concerned with living a healthy lifestyle.  

This month I will be reading:  Dietary Guidelines for Americans:  2015-2020 and sharing it with You.

So - let's get started:  from the introduction of the Dietary Guidelines For Americans:  2015 - 2020 

Nutrition and Health Are Closely Related

Over the past century, essential nutrient deficiencies have dramatically decreased, many infectious diseases have been conquered, and the majority of the U.S. population can now anticipate a long and productive life. However, as infectious disease rates have dropped, the rates of noncommunicable diseases—specifically, chronic diet-related diseases—have risen, due in part to changes in lifestyle behaviors. A history of poor eating and physical activity patterns have a cumulative effect and have contributed to significant nutrition- and physical activity-related health challenges that now face the U.S. population. About half of all American adults—117 million individuals—have one or more preventable chronic diseases, many of which are related to poor quality eating patterns and physical inactivity. These include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and poor bone health. More than two-thirds of adults and nearly one-third of children and youth are overweight or obese. These high rates of overweight and obesity and chronic disease have persisted for more than two decades and come not only with increased health risks, but also at high cost. In 2008, the medical costs associated with obesity were estimated to be $147 billion. In 2012, the total estimated cost of diagnosed diabetes was $245 billion, including $176 billion in direct medical costs and $69 billion in decreased productivity.[1]

The bottom line:  Our country is failing the grade when it comes to healthy lifestyle behaviors which include nutritious food and exercise.  When I hear the term "nutritious food" I hear "real food" that doesn't contain preservatives or a lot of processing.  

Starting today, if you haven't been already doing so, read the ingredient label of the food you eat.  My rule of thumb is - if it contains things that I need a degree in chemistry to pronounce, I wonder if I want to put it in my body.