At least 6 health problems have been proven to relate to diet:
The body needs iron to build red blood cells. This type of anemia usually occurs between 6 months and 2 years of age. It can also occur in adolescents, especially in girls with heavy menstrual periods. The main symptoms are fatigue, shortness of breath, and poor endurance.
Obesity is one of the most common nutritional problems in this country. Obesity is also one of the most important contributing factors in heart disease, hypertension, and some cancers.
Tooth decay is more likely if you have a lot of sugar in your diet. (Poor toothbrushing habits also contribute to tooth decay.)
Too little fiber in the diet can cause intestinal problems such as constipation, abdominal discomfort, appendicitis, gallstones, and some intestinal cancers.
A lot of animal fat (especially cholesterol) in the diet contributes to coronary artery disease. This disease hardly exists in poor countries where the population subsists on low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets. It is also less common among vegetarians.
High blood pressure has been associated with an increased amount of salt or a decreased amount of calcium in the diet of some susceptible persons. Most people, however, get rid of extra salt through their kidneys and don't develop hypertension.
20% of a healthy diet should consist of milk, meat and eggs, and 80% should be vegetables, fruits, and grains. (Fiber is found in grains, fruits, and vegetables.) Another similar recommendation is that people should get 55% of their calories from carbohydrates, 30% from fats, and 15% from proteins.
Breakfast is essential. Skipping breakfast can compromise performance at school. For dieters, skipping breakfast usually doesn't lead to weight loss. All meals should contain fruits or vegetables, as well as grains. Meat or milk should be included in 2 of the meals.
Eating snacks is largely a habit. Snacks are unnecessary for good nutrition but harmless unless you are overweight. If you like snacks, try to eat more fruits, vegetables, and grains.
Americans eat excessive amounts of meat and dairy products.
To decrease the amount of fat in the diet, follow these guidelines:
On the other hand, some teenage girls may need to consume adequate milk products (the equivalent of 3 glasses of milk) to lay down the bone mass required to prevent osteoporosis later in life.
Follow these guidelines:
Throughout our lives we need adequate iron in our diets to prevent anemia. Everyone should know which foods are good sources of iron. Red meats, fish, and poultry are best. One serving per day of these foods will provide adequate iron. Although liver is a good source of iron, it contains 16 times more cholesterol than beef and should be avoided. Adequate iron is also found in iron-enriched cereals, beans of all types, peanut butter, raisins, prune juice, sweet potatoes, spinach, and egg yolks. The iron in these foods is better absorbed if the meal also contains fruit juice or meat.
Salt is not usually harmful for people without high blood pressure. However, to discourage a taste for excessive salt, remove the salt shaker from the dinner table. Use other herbs and spices instead of salt. Eat salty foods such as potato chips and pretzels sparingly.
Sweets are not bad, but they should be eaten in moderation. Most humans are born with a "sweet tooth." They seek out and enjoy candy, soft drinks, and desserts. The main side effect of eating candy is tooth decay if the teeth are not brushed afterward. Eating food with a lot of sugar ("a sugar binge") can cause jitters, sweating, dizziness, sleepiness, and intense hunger 2 to 3 hours later. This temporary reaction is not harmful and can be relieved by eating some food. A love of sweets is not related to obesity (if the total calories per day are normal) or hyperactivity. A high amount of sugar in the diet has not been correlated with coronary artery disease or cancer.
Eating meat does not improve athletic performance. The best foods to eat before prolonged exercise are complex carbohydrates (starches). These include bread, pasta (noodles), potatoes, and rice. You should eat these foods 3 to 4 hours before the athletic event so they have passed out of the stomach.
It is important to drink water up to the time of the activity and every 20 to 30 minutes during the activity.