Healthy diet
A healthy diet is one that helps maintain or improve general health. A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, adequate essential amino acids from protein,[1]
essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and adequate calories. The
requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant-based
and animal-based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and
provides for human nutrition
without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming
excessive amounts. Where lack of calories is not an issue, a properly
balanced diet (in addition to exercise) is also thought to be important for lowering health risks, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.[2]
Various nutrition guides are published by medical and governmental institutions to educate the public on what they should be eating to promote health. Nutrition facts labels are also mandatory in some countries to allow consumers to choose between foods based on the components relevant to health.
American Institute for Cancer Research recommends a diet that consists
mostly of unprocessed plant foods, with emphasis a wide range of whole
grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables and fruits. This healthy
diet is replete with a wide range of various non-starchy vegetables and
fruits, that provide different colors including red, green, yellow,
white, purple, and orange. They note that tomato cooked with oil, allium
vegetables like garlic, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower,
provide some protection against cancer. This healthy diet is low in
energy density, which may protect against weight gain and associated
diseases. Finally, limiting consumption of sugary drinks, limiting
energy rich foods, including “fast foods” and red meat, and avoiding
processed meats improves health and longevity. Overall, researchers and
medical policy conclude that this healthy diet can reduce the risk of
chronic disease and cancer.[5][6]
there are many specific diets that have primarily been developed to
promote better health in specific population groups, such as people with
high blood pressure (as in low sodium diets or the more specific DASH diet), or people who are overweight or obese (in weight control diets). However, some of them may have more or less evidence for beneficial effects in normal people as well.
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a diet promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (part of the NIH, a United States government organization) to control hypertension. A major feature of the plan is limiting intake of sodium,[14]
and it also generally encourages the consumption of nuts, whole grains,
fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables while lowering the consumption of
red meats, sweets, and sugar. It is also "rich in potassium, magnesium,
and calcium, as well as protein". Evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet improves cardiovascular outcomes.[15]
Diets to promote weight loss are divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, and very low calorie.[16] A meta-analysis
of six randomized controlled trials found no difference between the
main diet types (low calorie, low carbohydrate, and low fat), with a 2–4
kilogram weight loss in all studies.[16] At two years, all calorie-reduced diet types cause equal weight loss irrespective of the macronutrients emphasized.[17]
A healthy diet is low in energy density, lowering caloric content,
thereby possibly inhibiting weight gain and lowering risk against
chronic diseases.[5][6][19] Chronic Western diseases are associated with pathologically increased IGF-1
levels. Findings in molecular biology and epidemiologic data suggest
that milk consumption is a promoter of chronic diseases of Western
nations, including atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis and neurodegenerative
diseases.[20]
The WHO estimates that 2.7 million deaths are attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetable every year.[21] Globally it is estimated to cause about 19% of gastrointestinal cancer, 31% of ischaemic heart disease, and 11% of strokes,[2] thus making it one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide.[22]
were frequently voiced up until the mid-1990s. However, more recent
research has shown that the distinction between high- and low-density lipoprotein
('good' and 'bad' cholesterol, respectively) must be addressed when
speaking of the potential ill effects of cholesterol. Different types of
dietary fat have different effects on blood levels of cholesterol. For
example, polyunsaturated fats tend to decrease both types of
cholesterol; monounsaturated fats tend to lower LDL and raise HDL;
saturated fats tend to either raise HDL, or raise both HDL and LDL;[25][26]
and trans fat tend to raise LDL and lower HDL. Dietary cholesterol
itself is only found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy,
but studies have shown that even large amounts of dietary cholesterol
only have negligible effects on blood cholesterol.[27]
Vending machines in particular have come under fire as being avenues of entry into schools for junk food
promoters. However, there is little in the way of regulation and it is
difficult for most people to properly analyze the real merits of a
company referring to itself as "healthy." Recently, the United Kingdom
removed the rights for McDonald's
to advertise its products, as the majority of the foods that were seen
have low nutrient values and high fat counts were aimed at children
under the guise of the "Happy Meal"[citation needed]. The British Heart Foundation released its own government-funded advertisements, labeled "Food4Thought", which were targeted at children and adults displaying the gory nature of how fast food is generally constituted.
essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and adequate calories. The
requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant-based
and animal-based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and
provides for human nutrition
without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming
excessive amounts. Where lack of calories is not an issue, a properly
balanced diet (in addition to exercise) is also thought to be important for lowering health risks, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.[2]
Various nutrition guides are published by medical and governmental institutions to educate the public on what they should be eating to promote health. Nutrition facts labels are also mandatory in some countries to allow consumers to choose between foods based on the components relevant to health.
Contents
- 1 World Health Organization
- 2 American Heart Association / World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research
- 3 Harvard School of Public Health
- 4 For specific conditions
- 5 Diet and possible reduced disease risk
- 6 Unhealthy diets
- 7 Public health
- 8 Cultural and psychological factors
- 9 See also
- 10 References
- 11 External links
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) makes the following 5 recommendations with respect to both populations and individuals:[3]- Eat roughly the same amount of calories that your body is using. A
healthy weight is a balance between energy consumed and energy that is
'burnt off'. - Increase consumption of plant foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and nuts.
- Limit intake of fats, preferring the healthier unsaturated fats to saturated fats and trans fats.
- Limit the intake of granulated sugar. A 2003 report recommends less than 10% simple sugars.[4]
- Limit salt / sodium consumption from all sources and ensure that salt is iodized.
- Essential micronutrients such as vitamins and certain minerals.
- Avoiding directly poisonous (e.g. heavy metals) and carcinogenic (e.g. benzene) substances.
- Avoiding foods contaminated by human pathogens (e.g. E. coli, tapeworm eggs).
American Heart Association / World Cancer Research Fund / American Institute for Cancer Research
The American Heart Association, World Cancer Research Fund, andAmerican Institute for Cancer Research recommends a diet that consists
mostly of unprocessed plant foods, with emphasis a wide range of whole
grains, legumes, and non-starchy vegetables and fruits. This healthy
diet is replete with a wide range of various non-starchy vegetables and
fruits, that provide different colors including red, green, yellow,
white, purple, and orange. They note that tomato cooked with oil, allium
vegetables like garlic, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower,
provide some protection against cancer. This healthy diet is low in
energy density, which may protect against weight gain and associated
diseases. Finally, limiting consumption of sugary drinks, limiting
energy rich foods, including “fast foods” and red meat, and avoiding
processed meats improves health and longevity. Overall, researchers and
medical policy conclude that this healthy diet can reduce the risk of
chronic disease and cancer.[5][6]
Harvard School of Public Health
The Nutrition Source of Harvard School of Public Health makes the following 10 recommendations for a healthy diet:[7]- Choose good carbohydrates: whole grains (the less processed the
better), vegetables, fruits and beans. Avoid white bread, white rice,
and the like as well as pastries, sugared sodas, and other
highly-processed food.[8] - Pay attention to the protein package: good choices include fish, poultry, nuts, and beans. Try to avoid red meat.[9]
- Choose foods containing healthy fats. Plant oils, nuts, and fish are
the best choices. Limit consumption of saturated fats, and avoid foods
with trans fat.[7] - Choose a fiber-filled diet which includes whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.[10]
- Eat more vegetables and fruits—the more colorful and varied, the better.[7]
- Calcium
is important, but milk is not its best source. Good sources of calcium
are collards, bok choy, fortified soy milk, baked beans, and supplements
which contain calcium and vitamin D.[11] - Water
is the best source of liquid. Avoid sugary drinks, and limit intake of
juices and milk. Coffee, tea, artificially-sweetened drinks, 100-percent
fruit juices, low-fat milk and alcohol can fit into a healthy diet but
are best consumed in moderation. Sports drinks are recommended only for
people who exercise more than an hour at a stretch to replace substances
lost in sweat.[12] - Limit salt intake. Choose more fresh foods, instead of processed ones.[7]
- Moderate alcohol drinking has health benefits, but is not recommended for everyone.[7]
- Daily multivitamin and extra vitamin D intake has potential health benefits.[7]
For specific conditions
In addition to dietary recommendations for the general population,there are many specific diets that have primarily been developed to
promote better health in specific population groups, such as people with
high blood pressure (as in low sodium diets or the more specific DASH diet), or people who are overweight or obese (in weight control diets). However, some of them may have more or less evidence for beneficial effects in normal people as well.
Hypertension
A low sodium diet is beneficial for people with high blood pressure. A Cochrane review published in 2008 concluded that a long term (more than 4 weeks) low sodium diet in Caucasians has a useful effect to reduce blood pressure, both in people with hypertension and in people with normal blood pressure.[13]The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is a diet promoted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (part of the NIH, a United States government organization) to control hypertension. A major feature of the plan is limiting intake of sodium,[14]
and it also generally encourages the consumption of nuts, whole grains,
fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables while lowering the consumption of
red meats, sweets, and sugar. It is also "rich in potassium, magnesium,
and calcium, as well as protein". Evidence shows that the Mediterranean diet improves cardiovascular outcomes.[15]
Obesity
Further information: Dieting
Weight control diets aim to maintain a controlled weight. In most cases dieting is used in combination with physical exercise to lose weight in those who are overweight or obese.Diets to promote weight loss are divided into four categories: low-fat, low-carbohydrate, low-calorie, and very low calorie.[16] A meta-analysis
of six randomized controlled trials found no difference between the
main diet types (low calorie, low carbohydrate, and low fat), with a 2–4
kilogram weight loss in all studies.[16] At two years, all calorie-reduced diet types cause equal weight loss irrespective of the macronutrients emphasized.[17]
Diet and possible reduced disease risk
Further information: Diet and cancer
There may be a relationship between lifestyle including food consumption and potentially lowering the risk of cancer or other chronic diseases. A healthy diet may consist mostly of whole plant foods, with limited consumption of energy-dense foods, red meat, alcoholic drinks and salt while reducing consumption of sugary drinks, and processed meat.[18] A healthy diet may contain non-starchy vegetables and fruits, including those with red, green, yellow, white, purple or orange pigments. Tomato cooked with oil, allium vegetables like garlic, and cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower "probably" contain compounds which are under research for their possible anti-cancer activity.[5][6]A healthy diet is low in energy density, lowering caloric content,
thereby possibly inhibiting weight gain and lowering risk against
chronic diseases.[5][6][19] Chronic Western diseases are associated with pathologically increased IGF-1
levels. Findings in molecular biology and epidemiologic data suggest
that milk consumption is a promoter of chronic diseases of Western
nations, including atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis and neurodegenerative
diseases.[20]
Unhealthy diets
An unhealthy diet is a major risk factor for a number of chronic diseases including: high blood pressure, diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, overweight/obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer.[21]The WHO estimates that 2.7 million deaths are attributable to a diet low in fruit and vegetable every year.[21] Globally it is estimated to cause about 19% of gastrointestinal cancer, 31% of ischaemic heart disease, and 11% of strokes,[2] thus making it one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide.[22]
Fad diets
Main article: Fad diet
Fad diet usually refers to idiosyncratic diets and eating patterns.[23] They are diets that claim to promote weight loss or treat obesity by various mechanisms,[24] provide little to no scientific reasoning behind their purported health benefits, and have little or no proof to support them.Public health
Fears of high cholesterolwere frequently voiced up until the mid-1990s. However, more recent
research has shown that the distinction between high- and low-density lipoprotein
('good' and 'bad' cholesterol, respectively) must be addressed when
speaking of the potential ill effects of cholesterol. Different types of
dietary fat have different effects on blood levels of cholesterol. For
example, polyunsaturated fats tend to decrease both types of
cholesterol; monounsaturated fats tend to lower LDL and raise HDL;
saturated fats tend to either raise HDL, or raise both HDL and LDL;[25][26]
and trans fat tend to raise LDL and lower HDL. Dietary cholesterol
itself is only found in animal products such as meat, eggs, and dairy,
but studies have shown that even large amounts of dietary cholesterol
only have negligible effects on blood cholesterol.[27]
Vending machines in particular have come under fire as being avenues of entry into schools for junk food
promoters. However, there is little in the way of regulation and it is
difficult for most people to properly analyze the real merits of a
company referring to itself as "healthy." Recently, the United Kingdom
removed the rights for McDonald's
to advertise its products, as the majority of the foods that were seen
have low nutrient values and high fat counts were aimed at children
under the guise of the "Happy Meal"[citation needed]. The British Heart Foundation released its own government-funded advertisements, labeled "Food4Thought", which were targeted at children and adults displaying the gory nature of how fast food is generally constituted.