The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an invaluable reference source on nutrition.
It provides advice on healthy eating habits that covers a food pyramid, nutritional requirements, weight management, physical fitness and food safety.
Food Pyramid The USDA food pyramid consists of foods arranged in a specific color scheme and includes directions on how these can be consumed in a healthy manner.
Nutritional requirements With regards to nutrition, the USDA advises on consuming a wide range of nutrient-dense foods and beverages from the basic food groups presented in its nutrition pyramid.
It further recommends minimizing the intake of alcohol, salt, added sugars, cholesterol, saturated and trans-fats and also suggests dietary plans like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan and the USDA Food Guide.
Weight Maintenance The USDA emphasizes the importance of maintaining body weight within a healthy range through the careful balancing of calorie intake from foods and beverages against that of the amount of calories burnt.
It stands to reason that if more calories are consumed than what is being expended, this surplus is converted to fat that results in an increase in body mass and therefore weight.
This is especially crucial to consider in the aging process where the intake of food and beverages need to be gradually decreased and physical activity (fitness) is to be enhanced.
Physical Health In the interest of general health, healthy bodies and psychological well-being in particular, the USDA recommends decreasing sedentary activities and increasing physical activity and therefore physical health.
Physique can be enhanced through stretching exercises for increased flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning and calisthenics or resistance exercises to improve endurance and muscle strength.
The daily recommended duration and intensity of such exercising ranges between 30 - 90 minutes, depending on weight, age and eating habits.
Needless to say, a combination of increased exercise intensity and longer exercise duration will yield even more health benefits, but it is advised that this be done in consultation with health care providers.
Protection from Contaminated Food To avoid microbial food borne illnesses, the USDA emphasizes the importance of washing your hands thoroughly before handling and eating food, thoroughly washing the surfaces on which food is to be prepared and washing vegetables and fruit before use.
However, it advises against the washing of raw meat and poultry.
The USDA further recommends that food be cooked at temperatures high enough to destroy microorganisms and the prompt storage of perishable foodstuffs at low temperatures.
It further advises against the consumption of -
It provides advice on healthy eating habits that covers a food pyramid, nutritional requirements, weight management, physical fitness and food safety.
Food Pyramid The USDA food pyramid consists of foods arranged in a specific color scheme and includes directions on how these can be consumed in a healthy manner.
Nutritional requirements With regards to nutrition, the USDA advises on consuming a wide range of nutrient-dense foods and beverages from the basic food groups presented in its nutrition pyramid.
It further recommends minimizing the intake of alcohol, salt, added sugars, cholesterol, saturated and trans-fats and also suggests dietary plans like the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Eating Plan and the USDA Food Guide.
Weight Maintenance The USDA emphasizes the importance of maintaining body weight within a healthy range through the careful balancing of calorie intake from foods and beverages against that of the amount of calories burnt.
It stands to reason that if more calories are consumed than what is being expended, this surplus is converted to fat that results in an increase in body mass and therefore weight.
This is especially crucial to consider in the aging process where the intake of food and beverages need to be gradually decreased and physical activity (fitness) is to be enhanced.
Physical Health In the interest of general health, healthy bodies and psychological well-being in particular, the USDA recommends decreasing sedentary activities and increasing physical activity and therefore physical health.
Physique can be enhanced through stretching exercises for increased flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning and calisthenics or resistance exercises to improve endurance and muscle strength.
The daily recommended duration and intensity of such exercising ranges between 30 - 90 minutes, depending on weight, age and eating habits.
Needless to say, a combination of increased exercise intensity and longer exercise duration will yield even more health benefits, but it is advised that this be done in consultation with health care providers.
Protection from Contaminated Food To avoid microbial food borne illnesses, the USDA emphasizes the importance of washing your hands thoroughly before handling and eating food, thoroughly washing the surfaces on which food is to be prepared and washing vegetables and fruit before use.
However, it advises against the washing of raw meat and poultry.
The USDA further recommends that food be cooked at temperatures high enough to destroy microorganisms and the prompt storage of perishable foodstuffs at low temperatures.
It further advises against the consumption of -
- raw or unpasteurized milk and/or products created from it;
- raw or partially cooked eggs and/or foods containing these;
- raw or undercooked meat and poultry;
- unpasteurized juices; and
- raw sprouts.
SHARE
