10.6% of all deaths worldwide in 2021 were due to poor diet.
Found by The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, this statistic above regarding health directly correlates with our eating habits, meaning healthy foods set our habits and lifestyles up for success. So much of our life is spent expending energy; the only way we can get that is from the food we eat.
If you want to be healthy, your food choices should reflect this.
Courtney Walker from the University of Alabama at Birmingham wrote that, “Almost 35% of adults in the U.S. are obese, and it is estimated that this statistic will increase to almost 50% within 15 years”. Obesity stems from unhealthy eating habits, and prevents people from being able to complete everyday activities like walking a dog, or going up stairs. To enjoy the things you love, you must eat foods that contribute to your health positively so that obstacles like obesity don’t block off vital activities.
Food ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and Red-40 contribute to this further. “Evidence shows that Red 40 interacts with inflammatory components, impacts the microbiome, and can be perceived as foreign by the body”, says the National Library of Medicine. With Red-40 being so prominent in the food industry, parents have to be extra careful with the foods they are letting their children consume. “An estimated 8% of children with ADHD may have symptoms related to synthetic food colors,” said Joel Nigg, an American clinical psychologist. This statistic illustrates the importance of watching additives in the meals you are supplying to others, because it could lead to side effects such as ADHD.
There are many easy alternatives to ingredients like Red-40 and sugars, so you can still be satisfied and enjoy the activities you love.
Unhealthy sugars can be replaced by other alternatives, such as Stevia, apple sauce, and honey. They taste so similar that you will still be satisfied with your meal and create healthy energy to power you through your day.
Food colors are easily replaceable with alternatives like beet juice, pomegranate juice, and paprika extract. You can still enjoy those lively colors while being proactive about your health and conserving the things you love.
The bottom line is that healthy food choices will further contribute to your health. Making those nourishing food choices can provide you with the peace of mind to continue those activities you love.
Contact the U.S. Food and Drug Administration today to take action on banning unhealthy additives in your daily meals.
