The Importance Of Eating Healthy

Consciousness about what we eat, and how it affects us is growing. By now we have all been taught that eating right, with plenty of fruits and vegetables is good for us. We have also been taught that eating too much fatty foods will give us heart attacks and lead to obesity.

How true is that though? How much attention should we really be paying to what we eat?

I should start by saying that I am a fan of being healthy. I try to keep myself active. I try to work out at least four times a week. I try not to overload on junk food. However, “try” is the key word here.

Like many of us, when I was growing up I had my fair share of junk food, like most of the kids I knew. I turned out fine, but was I one of the lucky ones?

Some of the friends I grew up with are already suffering health issues based upon the diet they were accustomed to while growing up. Two are clinically obese, and one has thin parents so I doubt it is genetic. And another friend is suffering from bowel problems.

The thing that is most clear in my mind right now is that I know for a fact that at least two of these friends had a diet while growing up what was nothing short of appalling. They had such staples as daily lunch at the deli, sugary soft drinks, and sweets whenever they wanted them. One of them also smoked, and I’m positive that hasn’t helped him either.

Even worse though, is that many of the teenagers I see now are following in those unhealthy footsteps. Some people, like the friends mentioned above, did eat like that while I was growing up, but it was no where near as much as is happening in today’s world.

Yes, eating junk food does affect our bodies, our health, and our quality of life. I’m not saying that we cannot eat junk food, just that when we do, we need to do so in moderation.

There is an obvious gap between the people from the time when I was growing up to this ‘Jamie Oliver’ generation, and our eating habits. The youth today have got to be the most unhealthy generation we have seen in quite some time. However, provided they do not pass these bad habits on to their own kids, and the new health consciousness keeps up, I am sure this will not be a long term problem.

See more of this writer’s articles regarding items including my wife’s new addiction and bell bottom jeans.