A nutritious, balanced diet is the most important component of a healthy lifestyle. It can protect you from a number of diseases and harmful side effects and give you the energy you need to exercise. A poor diet can lead to weight gain, fatigue and any number of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. A poor diet with too much saturated fat and sugar and too few nutrients can shorten your life.
Significance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a healthy diet of 54 percent carbohydrates, 28 percent fat -- of which no more than 10 percent should be saturated -- and 18 percent protein. The American Heart Association suggests you eat eight portions of fruit and vegetables per day. You must eat enough food to give you energy, but not so much that you become overweight. The further you deviate from these guidelines, the poorer your diet. A poor diet will leave you overweight yet malnourished. Each year, poor diet and physical inactivity kills 365,000 Americans, according to drugwarfacts.org. That's 1,000 per day. The World Health Organization says a poor diet affects the way you look and feel.
Appearance
Your diet shapes the way you look. A poor diet will affect your skin, hair, bones and teeth. Obesity is perhaps the most documented side effect of a poor diet. The Center for Disease Control explains that 60 percent of Americans are obese. According to NaturalNews, one-third of the American diet is junk food high in fat, sugar and calories, which causes accelerated weight gain. This food also leads to greasy skin and hair.
Diseases
According to the American Cancer Society, 550,000 Americans die each year from cancer, and a third of these deaths are caused by poor diet. Cancer of the colon, kidney and other organs are specifically linked to obesity. Type 2 diabetes may occur through a poor diet because blood sugar levels spike. A diet-related condition called atherosclerosis, in which fat builds up in your arteries, may cause high blood pressure, heart disease or stroke.
Nutritional Deficiency
The Center for Disease Control says 25 percent of Americans do not eat the recommended five daily portions of fruit and vegetables, and they are certainly not getting the eight portions the American Heart Association suggests for full nutritional benefits. An unbalanced diet will leave you with a nutrient deficiency. A lack of nutrients like calcium causes weak bones. Fruit and vegetables give you the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that stimulate your immune system, so without them in your diet, you will be more susceptible to colds and fevers. The Mental Health Foundation states that a poor diet lacking in nutrients like vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids may increase the risk of mental health problems, dementia, poor memory and depression.
Prevention/Solution
Turning a poor diet into a balanced, healthy requires lifestyle changes. Healthy, nutritious food is often more expensive than processed junk, and poverty may be a factor in a poor diet. But supermarkets often have deals and farmers' markets sometimes offer cheap produce. Buy fresh food, plan your meals, and learn to cook meals that are nutritious but cheap. Include beans, peas and whole grains rather than white bread or pasta. Eat fish and lots of fruit and vegetables, and avoid fast-food outlets.
References
- USDA: Diet Guidelines for Americans
- American Heart Association: Fruit and Vegetables
- Drug War Facts: Annual Causes of Death In The United States
- World Health Organization: Diet, Nutrition And The Prevention Of Chronic Diseases
- Center For Disease Control: Facts About Obesity In The United States
- Natural News: One Third Of American Diet Is Junk Food And Soft Drinks
