Easier Said Than Done – Why Eating Right Is Not Always Healthy Eating

We all aim to be healthy. The key to this is to choose a lifestyle that is beneficial and will promote optimal health. Luckily, we are in control. Often, people associate a healthy lifestyle with healthy eating. Many believe that we can get healthy just by eating the right kind of food – by “eating right” – as what had been taught us by our parents and at school. It is true that we can get nutrients from the food we eat, and eating right is beneficial for weight management and staying fit. But, to get all the nutrients we need to be healthy, we need more than just “eating right”. And despite our best intentions to eat a balanced diet – the dictates of modern lifestyle and prevalence of “instant” or ready-made meals in our culture, add the cost of maintaining and sustaining this kind of lifestyle, make it difficult to do. So, to have a so-called healthy lifestyle, we eat small portion of vegetable as side dish, or several slices of fruits a day, and call it “heathy eating”. Can you honestly say that you are eating at least the minimum amount or serving of fruits and vegetable every day? If not, then it’s safe to say that you are not getting the right amount of nutrients that you need daily to be healthy. Plus, we may not be aware that the fruits or vegetable that we are eating are grown by chemical-based agriculture, using pesticides which counteract and degrade the nutritional value of the crops. While the industry continues to say that pesticides and herbicides are safe, studies show that these chemicals are linked to cases of chronic illnesses and other human health effects. In custom, even conscientious eaters, have challenges ensuring that they receive the full range of essential vitamins and minerals on the food they eat because 1) variety is not sufficiently wide, sticking only to limited types of food that they like; 2) cooking – heat destroys nutrients in vegetables; 3) same fruit/vegetable may contain different amount of nutrient depending on the location and season in which it is planted and the processing it undergoes. Now even if know if a person does eat vegetable or fruit, it may not have nearly the nutritional value that a person really need. 

Others so-called healthy eaters resort to organic food. Organic fruits and vegetables cost higher than the conventional food, that is why only individuals with sufficient budget can afford this lifestyle. There is still the question if organic eating is worth the price that you have to pay. Given that the cost is higher, those who can afford it will only buy and consume as much as their budget can take them, which leaves yet again the concern if they can still get sufficient amount of nutrients needed. Also an article states that the US Department of Agriculture reminds consumers that "the term 'organic' does not necessarily mean 'healthier,' " adding that the term organic largely refers to how farmers grow and process food." See complete article in https://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/04/organic-eating-is-pricey-but-is-it-really-that-healthy.html 

The information provided is for information only and represents the views and opinion of the author based on his own research. It is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other health provider for any questions you may have regarding your medical condition and follow your health care provider's instructions.