Basic Information on Diet and Nutrition

When it comes to dietary trends and nutrition it seems that there are two major disciplines that should be discussed. These two major disciplines are diet and nutrition themselves. When it comes to our diet we have choices of what we eat, and these choices are usually influenced by the society in which we live, our families and our own personal choices. What we eat depends on what we were raised eating and what is available where we live, among other things. Nutrition is about what we eat and how we eat. Poor nutrition leaves us underweight or overweight, while proper nutrition leaves us healthy. If we eat too much we become overweight and risk heart disease and such. If we don't get enough to eat then we become malnourished and risk diseases associated with that.

Nutrition, in its simplicity, is defined as nourishment, which is what allows our bodies to work properly, both mentally and physically. Without nourishment we would get sick and die. Proper nutrition is important, and usually must be learned on ones own, not through what our families eat. In it's complexity it is something that is learned by following materials such as the USDA's MyPyramid, which lists what is required for the human body to have proper nutrition.

Dietetics is the health profession that deals with bringing correct nutrition to people and groups of people, for whatever health reason, whether it is because they are obese, have cancer or have heart disease. It is these dietitians that aide people in how to eat properly. People with different diseases, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol, need to eat differently than people that are considered healthy. Dietetics is the "science" that deals with these nutrition issues. It is also important to note that children require different nutrients and amounts of them in their diets than adults do.

Some factors that have effected the proper nutrition of most Americans are the ease of getting quick, unhealthy foods to eat, refined sugars and the addition of sodium to convenience foods and our limited physical activity because of laziness and desk jobs. When we are in a hurry we stop by the fast food joint. When we want a snack we munch on cookies and chips. We eat foods out of a box. And then we don't spend enough time on our feet. Knowledge of the proper way to eat and the proper way to stay fit could save our nation much heart ache in the long run.