Nutrition

What is it? NUTRITION = the process of eating & utilizing food for necessary health & growth “EAT TO LIVE” vs. “LIVE TO EAT” mentality “Eat to Live” : my primary focus of eating is to provide my body with the nutrients it needs to function at optimal health – I will eat something even if I don’t like the taste of because it will benefit my health “Live to Eat”: my primary focus of eating is enjoyment – I eat things only if I like the taste, regardless of the nutritional value of the food *For optimal health we want to have the “eat to live” focus the majority of our diet with the occasional “live to eat” focus

WHY STUDY nutrition? promote the optimal growth and development reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes prevent health problems such as obesity, dental caries, iron deficiency, and osteoporosis improve cognitive function & mood increase athletic performance

How do American youth eat? Most U.S. youth: Do not meet the recommendations for eating 2½ cups to 6½ cups* of fruits and vegetables each day Do not eat the minimum recommended amounts of whole grains (2–3 ounces* each day) Eat more than the recommended maximum daily intake of sodium (1,500–2,300 mg* each day) Empty calories from added sugars and solid fats contribute to 40% of daily calories for children and adolescents aged 2–18 years *The majority of American youth have poor nutrition*

Why learn about nutrition in pe? DEBATE: Are nutrition and exercise linked? Can you be healthy by eating good, but not exercising? Can you be healthy by exercising, but eating poorly? *NUTRITION & EXERCISE GO HAND-IN-HAND: FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH YOU NEED TO HAVE GOOD NUTRITION & EXERCISE In order to get stronger physically you need exercise In order to be at your best when you exercise you need good nutrition

HOW IS YOUR nutrition? Does your diet promote good or poor nutrition? Lets figure it out!!! For 7 days write down everything you eat & drink (besides water – we will do this in a later lesson) on your food tracker Also write down how much you eat (portion sizes – i.e. 1 cup/8 oz/etc.) Don’t change anything about your diet – eat like you normally do Be honest – in order to figure out how healthy your diet is you need to know where you stand: in order to improve your diet you need to truthfully know what it really looks like *If you run out of room on your tracker you can start writing what you eat on a second paper