Fall Food Benefits

Organic food, once only found in health food stores, is now a consistent element at local supermarkets. So what is the difference between a conventionally grown apple and an organic one? The answer is in the way the crop is grown and what it is and is not exposed to.

This is why a plant-based diet may be perfect for you. Not only are plants much lower in sodium than animal products and processed foods, but they contain these vital minerals.

Fruit and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre and many phytonutrients (nutrients naturally present in plants) that help your body stay healthy. Since fruit and vegetables are low in kilojoules (energy) relative to many other foods, including them every day can help prevent excessive weight gain. They may also help protect against chronic diseases such as heart

A big part of life is eating and many people find pleasure in doing so. Having an understanding for a healthy diet is a large part of nutrition. Eating a variety of fruit gives individual a better chance of consuming all the nutrients and dietary fibre they need which could help prevent major health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and certain cancers (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012).

When it comes to the topic of eating locally grown foods, most of us will readily agree that it is beneficial. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of whether the locavores movement is necessary for a community. Whereas some are convinced that the locavore movement holds more cons, others maintain that the pros heavily outweigh the cons. Although the movement may come across some troubling difficulties, the locavore movement has many positive implications on the community.

The author of this article makes many valid points in his paper and most of them make sense. I agree with most of what the article is saying. I agree with the idea that the Native Americans were less likely to get cancer, because they eat healthier meat. The Native Americans eat a lot of grass fed meat and fish. I agree with what the article says about how the grass that the caribou eats contains special nutrients and when the Native Americans eat the caribou they receive the nutrients. The article states that Americans have more of a chance of getting cancer than Native Americans, which makes sense. Americans eat more red meat, processed meat, fast food than Native Americans. Most of what the author says seems to be true and there is evidence to back it up.

Another issue is our consumption of vegetables and fruits. The average American should obtain around 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits every day. Most Americans don’t bother to take in half of this recommended amount, which is clearly an issue. Again, the solution to this is fairly simple and easily obtainable. Instead of having fries with a meal, a salad or a side of broccoli and carrots is a simple alternative. For dessert, cake can be replaced with a banana or an apple. These small differences in the diet really do make a large difference in the long run. Vegetables provide us vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, minerals, and fiber. While fruits also provide the body with minerals, vitamins and antioxidants, they also provide the body fructose, which is later converted to glucose for energy.

But from not eating healthy those risks go up. Eating the healthy foods that you should gives you the energy that you need to do stuff daily. An article in Health Magazine in 2014 called "5 Reasons to Eat Healthier that Have Nothing to Do with Weight" and these are the reasons. One result from eating healthy is having a better mood. "Scientists found that a higher intake of fruits and vegetables resulted in more energy, calm and greater feelings of overall happiness" ("5 Reasons to Eat Healthier"). Another result is sleeping better that usual. "Numerous studies have ties better sleep to improvements in overall wellness, and foods tied to better sleep include fish, whole grains, nuts, and dark green

You might ask what OAT is, and I’m just about to tell you. OAT stands for Open Academic Time which is 45 minutes after school where you can make up work, talk to teachers about being absent, and get help with things you are struggling with in class. This happens every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Another benefit from attending OAT is earning extra credit. Getting the OAT check-in form signed by a teacher adds up extra credit as well as getting you caught up (if needed). The teachers encourage you to come to this for your educational benefit. Really, OAT is here for your benefit and as much as you can, i would suggest attending.

Fruit also has high levels of vitamin C. Minor infections like colds and the flu are also less likely to happen if you eat plenty of fruits like kiwi, raspberries, blueberries, and citrus fruit, because these fruits offer high levels of vitamin C (dailymail UK, 2002). This is why increasing fruit intake is important because you will receive high levels of vitamin C which can reduce the risk of you getting sick, and it prevents deterioration of memory. I recommend that everybody increase their fruit uptake to get the benefits of a healthier life. Methods you could try are eating three different types of fruit a day so you don’t get tired of a fruit. Also you could eat fruit as a snack instead of ice cream, chips, candy etc.

There is something special about packing the family for an afternoon at a local orchard with its sweet, alluring scent, trees filled with ripe red fruit, bags overloaded with the best apples to bring home and a sampling or two of the fruit direct from the trees! And, let’s face it there are few things better than biting into a crisp, sweet, perfectly juicy apple!

With studies declaring the potential heart and overall health benefits of virtually all nuts and seeds, I can now understand the growing interest in this small but potent food source.

Pumpkin aid in weight loss, sharpening vision, your immune system, skin care, cancer and diabetes. The added fiber aids in weight loss, beta-carotene aids in vision, and vitamin A aids in stronger immunity. On top of the fiber benefits, one cup of canned pumpkin is ninety percent water; it also contains less than fifty calories. Because beta-carotene, is converted to Vitamin A in the body, this enables the retina to absorb and process light. This is achieved by consuming one cup of pumpkin which is equal to the 200 percent daily recommended intake of Vitamin A (Obenschain). The immune system uses that same Vitamin A to combat against infections, viruses and infectious diseases. DIY pumpkin mask along with the beta-carotene leaves the skin soft and exfoliated along with an added protection against UV rays. The Beta-carotene and Vitamins A and C in pumpkin are essential in fighting cancer; by lowering the risk of some types of cancer, and acting as a shield against cancer-causing free radicals. Research shows pumpkins can be used to reduce blood glucose level in diabetics by improving glucose tolerance and increase the amount of insulin the body

Being a locavore can be expensive and some foods can be hard to get because of the seasons, however, it is very healthy since everything is organic and unprocessed, less food is damaged or spoiled during the dissemination, and there would be a shorter distance to travel therefore pollution will decrease.

As Americans gain more and more options in the food industry, many are wondering where the best place to purchase meals to put on their table. Upon going to the supermarket they can look around not knowing which of the many brands and types of the same product are more healthy, how long they have been sitting out, and if they are even safe to eat. There is a very simple solution to this problem: becoming a locavore and eating goods that are grown locally. By going to farmer’s markets a customer can be certain they know their food is fresh, help boost their local economy by buying their groceries locally, and help prevent the air pollution caused by carting food long distances. Communities should make the healthy,