Understanding Diet

with Monique McWIlliams, MS, RDN, LDN (Mobile County Health Department)

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What does the term "diet" mean? The kids of food that a person, animal, or community habitually eats. It is also a special course of food to which one restricts oneself, either, to lose weight, or for medical reasons. It can also restrict oneself to small amounts or special kinds of food to lose weight. A diet can provide you with nutrient such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, calories, vitamins, and minerals. There are three types of carbohydrates such as sugar, fiber, and starch.

Protein is found throughout the body like your muscles, bones, skin, and hair. Enzymes that power many chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood.

Fats can be found in cell membrane, brain tissue, and fat cells for insulation. There are two type of dietary fat: Saturated (solid fat) and Unsaturated (oil). Some of these food sources include beef, pork, butter, and cheese.

Calories are a unit of energy to express the nutritional value of foods. It can give our body energy and can be stored as a fat. Athletes require more calories in their diet.

What are so healthy diet recommendations? You can make most of your meal vegetables and fruits (1/2 of your plate), choose whole grains (1/4 of your plate), and protein power (1/4 of your plate). We need to consider taking in olive, canola, soy, corn and sunflower oils into a moderation. Drink water, coffee or tea. You should skip sugary drinks, limit milk and dairy products and also juice.

A vegetarian diet is a variety of eating patterns that rely heavily on plant foods, while avoiding meats. They try to exclude all animal products from their diets. When on this diet you can lack many key nutrients you need. A keto diet is a low-carbohydrate, fat-rich eating plan that has been used for centuries to treat specific medical conditions. Gaining considerable attention as a potential weight-loss strategy.

I really enjoyed this speaker and her presentation on nutrition and a variety of diets. She kept my attention and I would love for her to come back.