Good Food vs Bad Food

My husband used to always ask me, “Is this food good or bad?”

The truth is … Food is neither good or bad …

An astounding fact is that 77% of Americans believe there are

“good foods” and “bad foods”. They believe that “bad foods”

can not fit into a healthy diet or weight loss program. This myth

has led many dieters astray.

All foods are combinations of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

Our bodies take from them what we need and discards the rest.

Many people state that if a food has an unacceptable amount of

fat or added sugar that it’s a “bad food”.

Eating a candy bar, a piece of cake, ice cream, chips, or a meal

consisting of a “burger, fries and shake” every now and then will

not hurt you or make you fat.

Think about it …. Don’t you have skinny friends or relatives who

eat these so called “bad foods” and retain their shapely figures?

The problem occurs when you habitually eat these types of foods

or consume large quantities of them. It’s not because they are

“bad for you”. It’s because they are high in calories and increase

your overall caloric intake, which results in weight gain.

While its true different foods have different caloric and nutritional

value, most nutritionists agree that there are no good food or bad

food only “Good Diets” and “Bad Diets.”

According to the dictionary the meaning of the word “diet” is …

Food habitually eaten or provided

The usual food and drink of a person

Regulated selections of food

According to Encarta it also means …

A controlled intake of food and drink designed for

weight loss, for health or religious reasons.

A calorie is a calorie regardless of the nutritional value of the food.

Eat too many calories gain weight. Consume fewer calories and lose weight.

A 125 pound woman consumes an average of 1650 calories per day

A 150 pound woman consumes an average of 1980 calories per day.

That’s a difference of 330 calories which is equivalent to …

One large bagel

Eating two sandwiches instead of one

A small cheeseburger

A small hot fudge sundae

A second helping at dinner

One candy-bar

6 cookies

It’s the position of the American Dietetic Association that all foods

can fit into a healthful eating style. Eat a variety of foods and don’t

be afraid to experiment.

For weight loss and for good health eat a sensible diet. Concentrate

on the overall quality of the food you consume over a weekly period.

Make healthier food choices most of the time by choosing foods that

are lower in calories and provide more nutrients …

Choose a baked potato over French fries

Choose chicken over a hamburger

Choose fresh fruit over a candy-bar

Drink water over a soda

Abstain from the candy dish if you’re not really hungry

Be prepared to eat this way for life.

If you think you can eat a certain way to lose weight and then return

to your old way of eating and maintain your weight loss ..

you are wrong …. This is why 95% of people who lose weight regain it.

Eating is an important source of pleasure in life

Focus on a healthy food choices

No food or type of food ensures good health

No food or type of food is detrimental to your health

Eat a balanced diet consisting of all food groups

Make it your goal to achieve healthy, active lifestyles.

Now my husband asks me “Which food is the healthier choice?”.

You too should ask yourself this question before deciding what to eat.