Why is it so HARD to eat right??

Why are we always tempted to eat the foods we know we should avoid? There are many factors that influence our eating habits and patterns such as hunger, marketing, availability, convenience, and nutritional value. More than likely, the strongest reason we choose to eat certain foods is for taste. We love the taste of sweet and salty foods, so we tend to eat too many of them. We also enjoy certain foods that have happy associations, such as those that we eat at family gatherings or on holidays. We need to eat in order to live, but knowing what nutrients we need will help us make better choices when it comes to our food options.

Nutrients are life-sustaining substances found in food. They work together to supply the body with energy and structural materials, and regulate growth, maintenance, and repair of body tissues. Protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and water are the six major classes of nutrients. The amounts needed daily varies widely amongst people, but there are guidelines for making sure that the body gets enough nutrients to sustain a healthy and active lifestyle.

Here are the recommended nutrient intakes for normal, healthy adults of average size who engage in physical activity:
             - Protien- 50-70 grams depending on body size or 12 to 20% of caloric intake
             - Carbohydrates- a minimum of 125 grams, optimal 350 to 400 grams, or 55-65% of caloric      
             - Fat- 30-65  grams, depending on the caloric consumption or 25-30%  of caloric intake
             - Vitamins- Specific amounts are listed in the 'Recommended Diet Allowance' (RDA)
             - Minerals- Specific amounts are listed in the RDA
             - Water - 2 to 3 quarts per day
You can visit http://www.nap.edu/ to learn more about Dietary Reference Intake, and http://www.mypyramid.gov/ to get recommendations and a personalized approach to healthy eating and physical activity.

Balance is an essential part of life, not all good tasting foods are bad, but balancing and knowing the proper amounts of specific foods is the first step to becoming a healthy individual. Since we are on this journey together to become 'well' individuals, being mindful of what and how much to consume when it comes to our food/caloric intake can make a tremendous difference in our lives. Always remember to smile!

Be well :)