Genes play an important part in the risk for certain health problems but how and what you eat can influence those problems. For example, the gradual bone thinning that results in osteoporosis may be slowed if enough calcium is consumed, if adequate Vitamin D levels are maintain and the person participates in weight-bearing exercise. A person might be genetically predisposed to diabetes, but if the body weight is kept within a healthy range through diet and exercise, the disease may never attack the individual.

Analyzing my three-day food journal, I realize that my diet is deficient in several nutrients. I n

According to the Body Mass Index, I am at a health risk because my BMI is at 30.196. I need to reduce my weight and to accomplish this goal I will implement a balanced, nutritional meal plan. Calculating the basal metabolic rate (BMR), I know that I need to consume 1,663 calories per day. And now that I know the importance of every food group in the Food Guide Pyramid is going to be easier to follow it and as a result, I will be eating the appropriate number of calories needed per day. I also learned in class that eating the appropriate servings throughout the day without avoiding any food group is important because every group has the vitamins and minerals the body needs to function properly and there will be no deficiencies resulting in illnesses.

I learned that the keys to good nutrition are balance, variety and moderation. To be healthy, the body needs the right balance of carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Vitamins, minerals and other pytochemicals from different foods that are also needed to stay healthy. But no single food or food group has all the nutrients the body needs---so eating a variety of different foods is essential. Moderation is a very important factor in nutrition. Too much food can result in excess weight and eating too l

Some topics in this essay:
Guide Pyramid, , Heart Association, Mass Index, Allowances RDA, vitamins minerals, limit carbohydrates intake, Food Guide, food guide pyramid, eat balance meal, help reduce, class learned, eat balance, balance meal, heart disease, nutritional supplements, weight training, nutrients body, times week,