With fad diets gaining in popularity and confusion about nutrition information, many people are confused about what to eat. Obesity is on the rise because many people eat more daily calories than are needed; however, a small number of people suffer from the physiological disorder anorexia. People with anorexia need support and education to return to a healthy diet.
Healthy Eating Guidelines
Harvard's School of Public Health designed a new food guide pyramid to replace the USDA's pyramid. The new pyramid is based on 15 years of research, and addresses maintaining weight or losing weight if necessary, as well as getting adequate exercise. Weight and exercise influence how a person stays healthy and affect what people eat and how food affects the body. The pyramid avoids requiring specific quantities of foods to eat, but stresses more food should be eaten from foods at the base of the pyramid than foods higher up on the pyramid. When a person eats the same amount of calories he burns during the day, his weight will remain the same. If he eats more calories than he burns, his weight will go up. To lose weight, a person must burn more calories than he eats in one day.
What to Eat
Whole grains, such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread and brown rice help control hunger, blood sugar and helps prevent type 2 diabetes. Whole grains are carbohydrates and are necessary for energy. Along with healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, whole grains are at the bottom of the food pyramid. Healthy fats include unsaturated olive, soy, corn, peanut and vegetable oils. Healthy fats can improve cholesterol and minimize deadly heart rhythm disturbances. Fruits and vegetables decrease a person's chance of having a heart attack or stroke and may protect against certain types of cancers. Fruit and vegetables also help control blood pressure and help minimize eye problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Sources of protein are third on the pyramid; however, red meat is on the top of the pyramid so it should be eaten sparingly. Healthy sources of protein include, nuts, beans, tofu fish, poultry and eggs. Dairy is above protein, and a person should eat low-fat or non-fat dairy products such as yogurt, milk and cheese to get an adequate source of calcium and vitamin D. Sugars, sweets and refined carbohydrates, including potatoes, white bread and pasta should be used sparingly.
Anorexia
Anorexia nervosa is a mental health disorder characterized by a person's refusal to eat enough food to maintain an appropriate weight for her height. Anorexia is serious and can become life threatening. A person with anorexia loses weight by restricting her food intake, excessively exercising or from purging food she has eaten. A person purges by making herself vomit or misusing laxatives or enemas. She may only eat low-calorie or non-fat foods and may still perceive herself as fat despite being emaciated. The National Alliance on Mental Health estimates one-half to one percent of females in the United States suffers from the disorder; however, males can also have it.
Effects of Malnutrition
When a person fails to eat enough food and follow a healthy diet that is recommended, malnutrition occurs. Malnutrition can damage vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and brain. Low heart rate, low blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms can also occur. Potassium and sodium can also become low. Malnutrition can cause calcium to become low, which can lead to osteoporosis. People with anorexia have high rates of depression and anxiety. In severe cases, malnutrition can cause death.
Nutritional Counseling
A person suffering from anorexia should have a dietitian as part of his treatment team. A dietitian works with the patient help him eat a wide variety foods and return to healthy eating. The dietitian educates the patient about proper diet. A slow weight gain of one to two pounds a week until the patient is at an appropriate weight is usually recommended.
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