World Food Day:
World Food Day is October 16 which celebrates the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Over the decades, the organization has gained worldwide awareness for providing an education on improving diets with the overall goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 (UN News, 2018). Our team finds this day to be important, as we stress the significance of a healthy diet to live a healthy, fulfilling life. However, there has been paradoxical consequences of these efforts. According to the World Health Organization, “Most of the world’s population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than being underweight.”2
Healthy Foods:
We live in a region of the world that offers the most diverse assortment of food at our fingertips. There has never been a time when everyday people had such access to so many types of foods, in virtually limitless quantities, and is affordable. We should be thankful for this luxury, for in other countries they often lack food options due to many reasons, including poverty and war (Huffington Post, 17). Fortunately, efforts are being made daily by incredible people and organizations worldwide to provide basic food for millions in need.
In our society there is a major issue with this convenience of unhealthy types of food and how it is mass-marketed and packaged. Unfortunately, unhealthy foods are typically the most affordable, overly-packaged, mass-advertised and easiest to purchase in the form of fast food, frozen meals, candy and other items that are convenient on the go. Consideration should also be given to the impact of these popular foods and the chain of creating them, which can demand more natural resources than what’s best for the planet (World Food Day, 19).
While most know healthy foods lead to a better lifestyle, most of us don’t know where to begin. Fad diets that lead to promised weight loss are also widely subscribed to, but usually don’t work long term. For World Food Day, we believe in educating those who want to make better lifestyle choices, while also helping those who are less fortunate to make the best of their situation.
Education, better habits and influence from celebrities, fitness icons and the media are all part of the major factors that can lead to our society choosing healthier foods. Following examples of better eating through research, habit changes and speaking with industry professionals, are all great ways to get started. Knowledge is power but you have to search it out and then make the personal choice to embrace it. I highly recommend Dr. Michael Greger’s website and book ’How Not To Die’, which was a New York Times Best Seller.
Weight Loss:
It’s surprising to see how our health improves once our weight is properly maintained. Our bodies are unique and built to support an ideal weight range that best serves our bodies inside and out. Part of World Food Day’s mission is the improved physique and internal health changes we see when we choose better eating habits.
The type and quantity of food we consume ultimately dictates our health in addition to how we look and feel. Simple steps such as properly storing your food can preserve its critical nutrients, while keeping it fresh and avoiding spontaneous fast food trips if your healthy food goes bad (World Food Day, 19). The mindset behind this observance is about doing your part, and how every step towards buying local, fresh and body-healthy food is really part of the greater good.
Making healthier whole food choices also leads to eating less calorically dense foods, and eating more foods that nurture us make us feel and look healthier. These actions can lead to a positive influence amongst friends, family and beyond for those who spread positive results across social media, books, blogs and more. Weight loss is not always easy, and is not a one size fits all solution. We encourage each person to consider the journey their own, while keeping in mind the proven simple steps and science behind the weight loss process.
For inspiration and answers to questions you may have about leading a healthy lifestyle and different types of supplements, read previous blogs by CardioMender, MD Weight Loss Specialists at www.cardiomenderweightloss.com/category/weight-loss-articles/
References
1UN News. (2018, 10). World Food Day: here’s what the UN is doing to fix ‘intolerable’ wrong of hunger. Retrieved from source: https://news.un.org/en/story/2018/10/1023322
2https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
3Huffington Post. (2017, 10). On World Food Day, Take Action Against Hunger. Retrieved from source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/on-world-food-day-take-action-against-hunger_b_59e40a84e4b003f928d5e806
4World Food Day. (2019, 10). Recipe For A Healthy Life. Retrieved from source: http://www.fao.org/world-food-day/take-action/en/
