Nutrition 411 – Part II
The WHY behind the Nutrition Info
As promised in Part I, this issue intends to detail some key information relating to common nutrition terminology. The purpose of this information is to help drivers understand why making certain nutrition choices bring about particular consequences.
It is an arguably well established fundamental of adult learning that when adults know “why” taking a certain action produces a particular result, they are much more likely to take that action. It is one thing to say cut calories or decrease carbs, it’s another thing to equip drivers to evaluate a nutrition label and adjust their own 24-hour caloric or carb intake and make a healthy plan. The following exemplifies some of the foundational, nutrition education that may be necessary to assist drivers in understanding “why” their eating choices produce certain results
Calories and Caloric Intake
· Calories themselves aren’t bad. You need them to fuel your physical activities and body functions that go on behind the scenes. Taking in more calories than you need is bad.
· You can get calories from bad food sources (i.e., refined sugars; fatty meats, etc.) and good food sources (whole grains, lean proteins).
· Approximately 3500 Calories equate to one pound of fat. So, you need to burn 3500 calories more than you intake over a prescribed period of time to loose one pound.
· Most health coaches and fitness information sources suggest taking in calories over the course of the day (fiver or six small meals) as opposed to one or two meals in order to maintain keep metabolism rates and glycemic indexes in check.
Fiber
· Fiber does so much more than simply prevent constipation; it helps us digest our food. Fiber isn’t digested and basically passes through your digestive system and out of your body.
· Fiber can make you feel full for longer periods of time, thus decreasing hunger. Eating the proper amount of fiber reduces temptations to eat ill- advised snacks or oversized meals.
· Identify the fiber content of food by looking under the carbohydrates line (usually marked “dietary fiber”) on nutrition labels. Fiber occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, etc.
· Men need 30 to 38 grams of dietary fiber per day, and women need between 21 and 25[i].
Carbohydrates (Carbs)
· Carbs are basically sugars, and serve as the main source of energy for your body. The high protein, or all protein diets that eliminate carbs altogether are not advisable unless your doctor orders you to undertake one.
· As was said with calories, there are good carbs and bad carbs. Stay away from refined sugar products (candy bars, regular sodas, etc.) and get your needed carbs from as many natural sources of as possible.
· Carbohydrates impact your body’s glycemic index (blood sugar levels), and when these levels are not maintained other health problems arise.
The information provided in this issue is intended to provide a brief example of foundational information that should be given in addition to telling drivers generalized nutrition tips such as, “watch your calories”, “reduce your carbs”, etc. This type of information lets the driver understand “why” they need to make proper food choices. Granted, there are many drivers who already know some of this information; but seldom doo you find anyone – even those considered “health conscious” – who know it all. By making the foundation of background knowledge as solid as possible, you increase the odds of your educational and information campaigns changing dietary behavior.
[i] Source: www.mayoclinic.com/health
