Health Issues

 

Seven Wrong Roads Living in America, we are probably the best fed nation in the world. But are we paying a high price for abundance? With the privilege of being well fed, comes the high price of needless disease, disability and premature death. What are we doing wrong? Americans are eating too much. Too much of what? Too much of everything:                                              Too much sugar                                              Too much fat                                              Too much cholesterol                                              Too much salt                                              AND, we eat too often Such privilege has helped lay the foundation for:                                                                                           Coronary artery disease                                              Stroke                                              High blood pressure                                              Arthritis                                              Adult onset diabetes                                              Obesity                                              Several kinds of cancer These diseases are responsible for three out of four deaths! They are related to our lifestyle, especially to how we eat. Am I saying that these diseases are from food? Surely then I must mean they are caused from pesticides and preservatives right? Wrong! Surprisingly, pesticides and preservatives are not our worst offenders. Here are some of the more serious offenders:                                                sugar                                              refined foods                                              salt                                              fat                                              protein                                              beverages                                              snacks What a deadly mix! APPLICATION: HOW TO DO IT Over the next several articles, we will be talking about these offenders on an individual basis. In the mean time, you can eat foods that are safe and disease free. Think plant foods. Hundreds of varieties, fabulous colors and every texture and flavor you can think of. Go for fruits, vegetables and grains. And don’t forget the legumes. Eating a wide variety of whole plant foods will furnish you with all the fat, protein, fiber vitamins and minerals that the body needs. The best news is that this kind of eating pattern helps delay and often prevents most western, killer diseases. These foods promote health and energy for a lifetime. CHOOSE: The choice is yours. Try choosing to eat a salad every day for one week. Find a healthful, low fat dressing. Four tablespoons of regular blue cheese or ranch dressing adds more than 500 calories to a salad. Try your salads with the juice of a fresh lemon or lime. Or mix up 1/3 c lemon juice and 1/3 cup olive oil. Add 1 teaspoon of maple syrup and your ready to go. YOUR CHALLENGE: YOU CAN DO IT! By changing your habits of diet and exercise, you can have freedom from the diseases that plague America today. And remember, Health is by Choice...not by chance! The choice is yours. You don’t have to be a statistic. By adopting a better diet and wiser lifestyle habits, you can live longer, feel better, and enjoy a healthier, more productive life.   ~*~ Nancy Schmieder works with the Better Living Ministries in Wayland , NY as a Certified Lifestyle Consultant and Specialist. The Better Living Ministries is a Community Resource for Lifestyle Education and Support. Health by Choice is a practical, simple journey on how to incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle. Nancy is a Mother of five and she lives with her family in Springwater , NY . Her e-mail address is n.schmieder@frontiernet.net