Our Diet: Why We Eat and What Are the Effects?

There's no doubt that there is a clear connection between nutrition and disease. This is evident simply by the definition of malnutrition, which is "any condition caused by excess or deficient food energy or nutrient intake or by an imbalance of nutrients" (Sizer & Whitney, 2012). In addition, "deficient intakes of many vitamins and minerals are associated with impaired disease resistance" (Sizer & Whitney, 2012). What kinds of diseases are caused by a lack of proper nutrition?

• certain cancers
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• type 2 diabetes
• atherosclerosis
• obesity
• stroke

Also, "adequate nutrition is a key component in maintaining a healthy immune system to defend against...infectious diseases. Both deficient and excessive nutrients can harm the immune system" (Sizer & Whitney, 2012). Proper nutrition is the goal of any healthy diet. According to the book Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, MyPlate Update), in order for a person's diet to be considered nutritious, it must have five characteristics:

1. adequacy- the consumed foods must provide enough of each essential nutrient, fiber, and energy.
2. balance- the foods consumed must not overemphasize one nutrient or food type at the expense of another.
3. calorie control- foods must provide the amount of energy an individual needs to maintain appropriate weight, having no more or no less.
4. moderation- foods must not provide an excess of fat, salt, sugar, or other objectionable constituents.
5. variety- foods differ from one day to the next (2012).

There can be challenges to maintaining a healthy diet that displays all of these characteristics. One major challenge is identifying these characteristics amid the enormous array of foods to choose from "but the foods that form the basis of a nutritious diet are whole foods such as ordinary milk and milk products; meats; fish, and poultry; vegetables and dried peas and beans; fruits; and grains" (Sizer & Whitney, 2012).

Another element in maintaining a nutritious diet is understanding the social, psychological, philosophical, and physical factors that drive our food choices. Sometimes nutrition isn't the only factor in deciding what we eat and many times the choices we make are determined by cultural traditions and social values. Our choices may be based on:

• advertising
• availability
• cost
• emotional comfort
• habit
• personal preference and genetic inheritance
• positive or negative associations
• region of the country
• social pressure
• values or beliefs
• weight
• health benefits (Sizer & Whitney, 2012)

Sizer, F. & Whitney, E. (2012).  Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies, MyPlate

Update (12th ed.).  Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

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