...John Reid Writing 150 February 2016 The Unstable Food Pyramid In the seventh grade I took a cooking class where I learned basic recipes and life skills. In this class I had my first introduction to the food pyramid made by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1992 (Godoy). I spent hours memorizing the ins and outs of a pyramid that was supposed to guide my dietary habits and ultimately lead me to a healthy lifestyle. This life tool (known as the food pyramid) showed me how many servings of grains, fruit, vegetables, meat, milk, and sugars I should consume daily. Even now I know that I am supposed to eat oils, sweets, and fats sparingly, and have three to five servings of vegetables each day. A year after engraining these numbers into my brain, I learned that all of my studying was in vain. During my eighth grade year the USDA introduced a new online program called MyPyramid. That program was only used for five years, and in 2010 (before I had even graduated from high school) the USDA slightly modified their food patterns. This is when the new MyPyramid was shaped into the newer and “better” MyPlate. My mind was bewildered as to how there could be so much change in an area that should have remained constant throughout one’s life. I began to wonder to myself “Are the current guides actually helping us, and should we be following them?” In order for the food guides to help us they should be more focused on three things: scientific basis, consistency, and personalization...
Words: 2579 - Pages: 11
...Association (ADA): * Vegetarian foods are a major source of nutrition for most people in the world. * Vegetarians have lower rates of heart disease and some forms of cancer than non-vegetarians. According to the ADA position paper on vegetarian diets, however, “recent data suggest that adopting a vegetarian diet does not lead to eating disorders, rather that vegetarian diets may be selected to camouflage an existing eating disorder.” Slide 1: Health benefits in becoming a vegetarian According to the ADA, vegetarians are at lower risk for developing: •Heart disease •Colorectal, ovarian, and breast cancers •Diabetes •Obesity •Hypertension (high blood pressure) Note This is because a healthy vegetarian diet is typically low in fat and high in fiber. However, even a vegetarian diet can be high in fat if it includes excessive amounts of fatty snack foods, fried foods, whole milk dairy products, and eggs. Therefore, a vegetarian diet, like any healthy diet, must be well planned in order to help prevent and treat certain diseases. Many news headlines say vegetarians live longer than meat eaters. Eating a vegetarian diet offers numerous health benefits, but some medical studies cite a few potential problems. Slide 2: Health risks in becoming a vegetarian May have intakes for vitamin B-12, vitamin D, calcium, zinc that are lower than recommended 1. Lower bone mineral density Note: While it’s possible for vegetarians to consume adequate amounts...
Words: 342 - Pages: 2
...Meat Consumption and Vegetarian People should eat less meat or become vegetarian? Steven Zhou Royal Roads University Marianne Kettlewell November 26, 2015 Meat Consumption and Vegetarian People should eat less meat or become vegetarian? Throughout human history, it is clear that carnivores have dominated food culture since Primitive Society. Meat has been maintaining the development in human beings for thousands of years. Unexpectedly, as time has gone by, the meat industry has caused major environmental and health problems. For instance, livestock is now responsible for 51% of the world's total greenhouse gas emissions, which negatively affects the environment. Eating lots of meats could also adversely affect health, leading to many illnesses like Hypertension and Hyperlipidemia. Therefore, some people think we should eat less meat or become vegetarian. Despite these strong arguments, personally, I do not agree with this opinion, for reasons outlined below. From a perspective of health, a vegan diet is harmful to the nutritional balance, for instance, vegetarians are short of protein and calcium. Meat, such as beef, has abundant protein, six ounces of lean, chuck beef, braised contains 49.2 grams of protein, 505 calories and 32.59 grams of fat (Dr. Decuypere's Nutrient Charts). What is protein? Protein is a nutrient that the body needs to grow and maintain itself. Next to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in our bodies. In other words, protein plays...
Words: 1393 - Pages: 6
...Vegetarianism Makes the Body Healthy Elizabeth Jay UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION II CHRISTOPHER TOWER DECEMBER 23, 2012 Benjamin Franklin was a vegetarian; he lived to be eighty when the average life span was fifty or sixty. Vegetarianism is a healthy lifestyle for many people in the world today. While some people who just cut meat out the diet and don't substitute other forms of protein can become very unhealthy. Adding a better form of healthy protein to one’s diet is scientifically proven to improve health. About seventy percent of all dieses including some cancers are related to diet. Becoming a vegetarian can help to treat some dieses like cardiovascular dieses and even multiple sclerosis. Animal products can slow down the immune system; animal fats can lead to clogged arteries and excessive meat in a diet takes away necessary energy. Livestock today can be treated very inhumane and almost tortured; animals are also injected with growth hormones, antibiotics and even steroids. By cutting meat out of the diet then those chemicals are not ingested into the body. Vegetarianism is a healthy way to improve one’s health, with the ability to improve dieses and keep unhealthy pesticides out of your body. There are many different types of vegetarianism, the first is Vegan. Vegans don’t eat anything made by animals, not only do they not eat meat, they don’t eat milk, cheese or eggs, either Lacto-vegetarians don’t eat meat as well; however, they include milk...
Words: 1372 - Pages: 6
...types of vegetarians and each type has different food restrictions. There can be confusion regarding vegetarianism, the lifestyle a vegetarian lives and the diet they follow. Some people may wonder what vegetarians eat, what they do not eat, and how they stay healthy and survive without the proteins and nutrients from meat and other animal products. Since there is more than one type of vegetarian there is no clear answer for the questions of what they eat, what they avoid and how they stay healthy; because each type of vegetarian follows different guidelines in their life which gives them different choices of items to consume. Some types of vegetarians eat meat and animal by-products; others may avoid meat but consume some animal by-products, while others may be more restrictive in their diet and avoid any types of meat and animal by-products. Regardless of the type of vegetarian an individual is every type follows the same main diet which focuses on large amounts of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, healthy and whole grains, legumes, seeds, and nuts. Vegetarians fill their diets with protein packed grains such as quinoa, couscous, bulgur wheat, barley, and brown rice; they also ensure that they receive large amounts of proteins by eating large servings of legumes such as beans, lentils, and chick peas, to substitute for missing the proteins for restricted or limited food groups. Many of these protein rich foods can be combined with other ingredients to make healthy foods fill...
Words: 1602 - Pages: 7
...Why Eat Meat Matt Moffa DeVry University Why Eat Meat Think of it this way, if everyone turned vegan or vegetarian eventually there will be no fertilizer and then eventually no plants. If we were all vegetarians we would have to turn all our livestock covered farm land into edible plant fields, which means no livestock and therefore no fertilizer. Then we would have to invent some kind of chemical fertilizer to fertilize the fields, but then wouldn’t that being hypocritical? People should eat meat because it is healthy to eat meat and there is a good meat. People need to eat meat because eating meat is healthy for the body. The human body gets many consumption of meat that fruits and vegetables cannot give them. Many vegetarians or vegans could argue that you can substitute those nutrients with pills. This is a viable argument, but how do you think they created those pills? Most vegetarians would say that eating a vegetarian diet is healthier then eating any meat. Well how much healthier is it really? Beef, chicken and fish are all extremely high in protein. This protein, which is not found in plants, is said to improve the overall health of the body, repair and building of tissues, the production of anti-bodies used to strengthen the immune system and contains all the essential amino acids. Other nutrients found in meat are iron, zinc and selenium. Iron helps in forming hemoglobin that transports oxygen to different...
Words: 674 - Pages: 3
...The benefits of the vegetarian diet For traditional diet, our ancestor ate meat to keep warm. In order to make the meat more delicious and healthy, they discover fire and create some stone tools. However, human beings not only ambition to more healthy life but some food needs in meat can be instead by other food. Therefore meat is not necessary for human being, the nutrition in the meat have other sources to supply, the essay will argues that the benefit of the vegetarian diet, the nutrition of the meat and the adverse effects of the meat eating. Vegetarian diet not only necessary for human being’s daily life, but also for decline the risk of numerous disease. Eating foods rich in fiber such as vegetable, is associated with a lower risk of developing heart ailments. Soluble fibers found in vegetables such as gum, pectin and psyllium dissolve in water, forming a gel-like matrix. Potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Dietary fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease. In a 2008 study of 1,700 people conducted by the Kaiser Center for Health Research in Portland, Oregon, dieters who kept a food diary for six months lost twice as much weight as those who kept no food record.(woods,n.d.)In conclusion, comparing with the meat eating, vegetarian diet may fit for human beings. The nutrition of the meat can be replace by other food. The main food needs from the meat is protein. Protein is only nutrient directly...
Words: 650 - Pages: 3
...health reasons. A vegetarian lifestyle is healthier for people and the planet they live on. Bob Holmes, a consultant for New Scientist says this may be why 20 percent of the world’s...
Words: 1085 - Pages: 5
...about how nutritious a veggie burger ad sweet potato was compared to her veal with mash potato loaded with butter, but she would never listen. I could just silently laugh while she was still tired from the day, yet I still had the energy of a five year old after eating a chocolate bar. I'm more healthy since I choose to have a no meat diet. In fact I don't think I ever could go back to eating meat. I've had more energy. I've made better health choices. I'm more aware of how nutritious the food I'm putting in my body is. I've even cut out a lot of the fast food and junk I use to eat. Going to no meat was one of the best decisions I made. My family may not agree with it, but I'm very happy with being in control of what I decide to eat. I've wanted to be a vegetarian since I was a little girl. One time when I was in second grade I actually stopped eating meat for a few weeks. Though when you're younger it's harder...
Words: 1371 - Pages: 6
...A vegetarian is a person who does not eat meat or fish, and sometimes other animal products. In most cases people become vegetarians because of: moral, religious, or health reasons. Usually people become vegetarians above the age of 20, this is when you realise and take interest what goes into your body and how it can affect you. Some people are born into vegetarianism because of religious reasons or family preferences. In a religious point of view, most people think that it is unfair to take the life of a living thing and eat the flesh of it. In my opinion I think that, everyone should become a vegetarian and not slaughter them for the satisfaction of the taste of their flesh on their mouth. They are loving things too, most animals do not even feel the sunlight and the grass on their bodies until they are taken out of the rows of their animal and are taken to the slaughter house. Over 56 billion farmed animals are killed every year by humans. More than 3,000 animals die every second in slaughterhouses around the world. These shocking figures do not even include fish and other sea creatures whose deaths are so great they are only measured in tonnes. There are many advantages to your life and the world around you if everyone becomes a vegetarian, some of which follow: Becoming a vegetarian means less environmental problems. The evidence of a USA report "one of the ... most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global...
Words: 1303 - Pages: 6
...Compare the attitudes towards food in text 9 and 11. I will be comparing the attitudes of writers who are vegetarians and a chef who eats red meat. Firstly, both texts are very enthusiastic about their topics of food. Text 11 which is about turning vegetarian or being vegetarian it eases the readers in to the passage as it’s not in an imperative or bossy tone. It relaxes readers as the author begins with “take your time” which immediately removes all pressure away which is a tactic to persuade and influence them to read more. That one phrase “take your time” may impact and influence the reader to change their ways or start to change their ways, it’s also guiding and advising them on how to approach vegetarianism. Secondly, the author of this passage tries to make being vegetarian cool as it uses informal language such as “veggie” to make it more interesting and on trend. The term “veggie” will appeal to the younger readers as well and will make it seem as a trend which should be followed. Secretly the author tries to promote vegetarianism by saying to the readers “impress your friends “which shows that they are trying to be it a trend and fashionable. The phrase “impress your friends” also appeals to people liking challenges because it’s not something that they are used to and your friends may see you in a different light just because you are turning vegetarian and by impressing your friends they might want to try it out to impress their friends which will be a continuous pattern...
Words: 1422 - Pages: 6
...Andrew Jerzewski Kayleen Schumacher Eng 201 (6:30) 22 October 2013 You Are What You Eat; The Benefits of Being a Vegetarian There are only 7.3 million Americans who are vegetarians (“Vegetarian Statistics”). Many people either know a vegetarian or are one themselves. A vegetarian is defined as a person who does not eat or does not believe in eating meat, fish, or fowl (Shravan). Not only does vegetarianism help one’s body become healthier, it actually helps society as a whole as well. Becoming a vegetarian is quite straightforward and the health and social benefits can be extremely positive. The need for vegetarians is becoming increasingly crucial because farmers are going out of business everyday. Meat eaters should start taking action and gradually cut meat out of their diets in order to become financially stable and have overall better health. Many people go as far as saying that eating meat is a fundamental liberty and it must be defended. It may be part of the cycle of life, but many vegetarians will argue that it is unethical to kill animals for food when other options such as vegetarianism and veganism are available ("Should people become," 2013). A meat-eater would contend that this is just how nature works; that it has been part of human evolution for 2.3 million years. Vegetarians will counter by stating all warm-blooded animals can feel pain, fear, and stress ("Should people become," 2013). Animals should not have to be slaughtered to fill an unnecessary...
Words: 1474 - Pages: 6
...Humans have consumed meat products since early ages and it still continues. PETA, an organization to serve animal rights and freedom, is making an ethical appeal to persuade the consumer that eating meat is reprehensible. At First, the most eye-catching segment of the advertisement is “Eating Meat is a Sin”, written in the bold green font. PETA is extending their sentiment that humans have no right to take speechless animal’s life and consume their flesh as food. As a result, PETA is trying to make people feel guilty by spreading one of their primary...
Words: 725 - Pages: 3
...Final Exam Review NUTR 295 – Fall 2013 NEW MATERIAL: 100 points (~50 questions) Understanding Disease Risk Factors * Describe the differences between a chronic disease and infectious disease. * What leading causes of death are nutrition-related? A) heart diseases, cancers, strokes, diabetes * Describe the concept of a risk factor. A) Factors known to be related to diseases, but have not yet proven to be a cause. We say that a certain factor puts us at increased risk for a disease, but does not cause it. * How does one use risk factors? * Review the basics of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. * Be ready to identify the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (especially diet-related risk factors!) A) High LDL blood cholesterol, low HDL blood cholesterol, high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, obesity (central obesity), physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, diet: high saturated or trans fats, low veggies, low fruits, low whole grains * Describe the dietary strategies to reduce risk of CVD through diet. A) Decrease saturated and trans fat, increase soluble fiber intake, increase fruits and veggies, increase whole grains/ decrease refined grains, increase fish intake (2 servings/week) * What is the TLC diet and what does it entail? A) TLC = Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes. From the NIH, designed to help decrease cholesterol through diet and lifestyle changes: the same changes we saw in table 11.6, also recommends...
Words: 2589 - Pages: 11
...although I thought I had all the answers, I was really short on solutions. My primary error was to think that knowledge about food was equivalent to eating well. Once I began the assignment in earnest, I realized that I really had not been using what I knew to benefit my health. Over the past few weeks, I have made a sincere, though not 100% successful effort to apply what I learned when creating my Healthy Eating Plan, and have summarized the results below. In terms of general eating habits, I have often jokingly described myself as person who does not real eat a lot of meat. As detailed in my Healthy Eating Plan, I relied on dairy as a primary protein source, particularly hard cheeses, as many yogurts, for instance, are actually not vegetarian. One notable conclusion I reached from the assignment was that I was really over emphasizing dairy to fill my protein needs. I was already having a sufficient, healthy intake of other protein substitutes for meat, such as Garden burgers and soy proteins like Yves vegetarian cold cuts. Another concern was that because of food choices such as high salt dairy products and the frequent use of condiments, including prepackaged salad dressings and pasta sauces, my blood pressure might be borderline problematic. A final opportunity area I discovered actually didn’t have to do with what I was eating, but when and how. I had suspected a problem, but not really given serious thought to the worrisome fact that I tended to eat a lot alone,...
Words: 1608 - Pages: 7