You are what you eat
Are you what you eat, or is it possible you are what you don’t eat? A recent study looked at the diets of around one hundred African-American women living in public housing in Washington, D.C., and found that less than 1 percent met all five of the goals to reduce their risk of developing cancer, and only 15 percent ate all their daily servings of fruits and vegetables (five) suggested. For these women, the things that they don’t eat could be negatively affecting their health.
"Many women drank soda, and ate convenience and prepared foods, even when they sat down with their families for a meal. Younger adults, especially, seem to lack the skills to build a well-balanced diet -- skills that our survey shows that older generations of women still possess," Ann C. Klassen, an associate professor in the department of health, behavior and society at Hopkins' Bloomberg School of Public Health, said in a prepared statement.
It’s clear that it is difficult to eat well, and that burden may be felt most strongly by our urban poor. One way of helping to spread the Blue Zones message would be to show those around you good habits, and to be sure to mention these five goals for reducing cancer risk.
- eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
- watch your caloriesdon’t drink alcohol (Blue Zones populations do drink some alcohol, but in moderation)
- follow the Department of Agriculture’s dietary guidelines
- limit your fat intake
Would you like to read more? The National Cancer Institute provides a good overview of the research behind analyzing cancer risks and ways to reduce your risk of developing cancer.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
What is 'Eat'?
