It's less expensive to prevent nutrition problems than to treat them.

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It's less expensive to prevent nutrition problems than to treat them.

 

It's less expensive to prevent nutrition problems than to treat them.

The

benefits of good nutrition may include better health, fewer absent

days from work

or school, or lower doctor and dental bills. Avoid the following

nutrition

concerns found in modern society:

 

Too few fruits and vegetables can lead to shortages in vitamin and

mineral

intakes. Antioxidant vitamins and phytochemicals are abundant when a

variety of

fruits and vegetables are eaten. Antioxidant vitamins and

phytochemicals may

be protective against chronic diseases such as heart disease and

cancer. Fruits

and vegetables are also high in fiber and low in fat -- a very

convenient

" fast " food. Choose dark green and leafy vegetables, and deep yellow

vegetables

and fruits for their carotene and vitamin A values. Citrus fruits,

melons and

berries are excellent sources of vitamin C. A minimum of five total

servings of

fruits and vegetables are recommended each day.

 

Too few milk products result in low calcium intakes that eventually

could

contribute to osteoporosis, a brittle bone disease. Other sources of

calcium

include dark green, leafy vegetables such as collard, turnip, and

mustard greens

and broccoli, dry beans and peas, and bony fish such as sardines.

Children,

teens, and pregnant or breast feeding women will need at least three

servings of

milk products daily; others should have from two to three daily

servings.

 

No breakfast can cause poor concentration at school or work which

interferes

with learning and can lead to mid-morning energy slumps. Typical

morning foods

are rich in starches and give us an energy boost to start our days.

 

Too much fat adds extra calories leading to overweight, and increases

chronic

disease risk. Read nutrition labels to determine the fat in the foods

you

eat.

 

Too much sugar may contribute to dental problems and excess calories

that

lead to overweight. Cut down on concentrated sweets.

 

~ianrpubs.unl.edu