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November 03, 2005
Nutrition 101
I’m in a nutrition class. My classmates are a mix of people who study society and health (like me), epidemiologists (people who study disease patterns), and people with extensive biochem/chem backgrounds, including one nutritionist and a gastrointestinal doctor. It’s a nice group of people. Today was our second class and I realized just how heated the debate can get about food. Today’s question, “What is a healthy diet? Do all foods fit into a healthy diet (moderation and variety) OR are some food healthier than others and is telling people it’s okay to eat certain “bad” foods just tipping our hat to the food industry and other political players?”
Most people advocated moderation of all foods but some of my classmates felt that not all foods can fit into a healthy diet. They said, “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for you.” My thoughts are that any food is bad for you if you eat too much of it-especially if you eat too much of it to the exclusion of other foods. I support the moderation theory. I won’t repeat the entire debate here (and this is definitely not my area of expertise) but it was very interesting. It is also interesting how complicated creating a healthy diet can get-alcohol may help my risk of heart disease-but it may raise my risk of cancer. (And what about my liver?) The fat in fish is good for me-but what about the mercury in fish? It can be really complicated. One girl in the class (a lawyer, so not the nutritionist :) thinks fruit is bad for you because of the sugar. It’s interesting, but hard to know what to do with all of the information and which information is the right information for scientists and all of the communicators (nutritionists, governments, schools, health educators, etc.) to share with the public.
Other interesting news-as part of the learning process I have to fill out a food frequency questionnaire and keep a food diary for myself for three days. 1) I think that will be very hard. 2) My diet doesn’t “suck”-but it’s not great. I don’t want to come face to face with it-and I don’t want to show it to my professor! Maybe that’s a wake up call I should be eating better…
I was going to swim today-but I would have had to go to a pool halfway across town (b/c mind was closed) which would have taken 2.5-3 hours out of my day so I opted out. Sigh…I miss running…
Posted by Audrey at November 3, 2005 06:14 PM
Comments
Of course I couldn't pass this one up...
Moderation, moderation, moderation!!! The fact is, there are foods out there that taste really good but aren't that good for us. There are VERY (and I mean very) few people in this world that have enough self discipline to NEVER eat these "questionable" foods. So if you deny yourself these items, you only end up gorging on them later. It's a viscious cycle. That's why it's best to just let yourself have a little, and then you don't feel denied, and you eat mostly healthy things, etc...
There are very few foods that I can't think of at least one redeeming quality for. If you are creative enough you can make it work... :)
Your diet is probably healthier than you think. People that exercise can afford a little more "junk" just because they have the calorie expenditure such that they can get the good foods in AND some of the "bad". The only diet that I consider truly unhealthy is one that is totally lacking in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
Okay...I feel like I could go on for a while...but I must stop! Hope you enjoy that class...and hang in there with the not running - it's almost over!
Posted by: Beth at November 3, 2005 06:39 PM
That's awesome that you're taking a nutrition class! I know it's for grad school and all, but it will be great to apply new knowledge to eating well as a runner.
Though I am not an expert by any means, I also subscribe to the moderation scheme. It just makes sense, because: 1) Why would someone want to deprive themselves of moderate amounts of things they like to eat? That seems silly. 2) I think our body has cravings for certain reasons, both physical and mental. Listening to those cravings and responding moderately allows your body to "get" what it needs!
Here's to eating! He, he.
Posted by: Meghan at November 3, 2005 08:07 PM
It's not good to be close-minded... (last paragraph)
Sorry. Couldn't resist!
Posted by: Danny at November 3, 2005 09:21 PM