Today was an interesting day to say the least. I went to the doctor for a cough that wouldn't go away and was shocked to learn that my weight has skyrocketed and my blood pressure has too. I knew I hadn't been eating the best, but I didn't realize the impact on my health would be so fast and furious. My doctor gave me some great information to help me take ownership of my health.
Nutrition and disease are directly linked. It's logical & I have always known this. But I didn't realize just HOW much they are connected.
It's no surprise that the foods and nutrients that comprise a person's diet have a direct correlation with their overall health. Although chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and bone loss have genetic influences, there are also direct connections between chronic disease and poor diet (Sizer & Whitney, 2017). Food and nutrients are intended to fuel the body, however an excess of foods (especially those which are high in saturated fats or void of nutrition) can lead to problems such as obesity. In fact, my doctor said that people who have a higher fast-food consumption weigh about 13 pounds more than their lower-consuming counterparts; similarly, it can lead to a larger waist circumference, a greater increase in triglycerides, and over double the risk of metabolic syndrome (Harvard School of Public Health, 2018). I have been so busy with work, school, and my son's activities that we have been hitting up the drive-through a lot lately.
I chose a salad, so that can't be too bad, right? Wrong! My go-to chicken salad has breaded and fried chicken (which is high in saturated fats - eek), and ranch dressing (which has corn syrup in it - gross!). I even did some investigating on the calorie and fat count. 660 calories and over half of my recommended daily value of fat! No wonder my pants are fitting tight lately.
But wait... there's more!
An improper diet can increase an individual's risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and poor bone health which can lead to osteoporosis later in life. I'm certainly going to take an inventory of what I eat and see if there are any direct links to potential health concerns. I'm young enough that I can reverse this runaway health train and reduce my risks of chronic diseases by making better choices!
References:
Harvard School of Public Health. (2018). Beyond Willpower: Diet Quality and Quantity Matter. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/diet-and-weight/
McDonald's. (2018). Crispy Chicken Salad [photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.mcdonalds.ie/iehome/food/full_menu/chicken/crispy_chicken_salad.html
Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2017). Nutrition: Concepts and controversies (14th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
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