Health

HEALTH • Fall 2018 21 More awareness, but less action on dieting Source: Pew Research Center (2016) really be a "superdiet," she said, with a variety of nutrients from different sources such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and seeds, "in a variety of colors." Asked about the notion that sugar feeds cancer, Gibbs said it's a ques- tion she gets asked a lot. "It's not that simple," she said. "My explanation for it is that we know that in a person whose diet is just refined, without good foods, that over time, a diet that's high in refined, carbohydrate-rich, sugary foods — along with not exercising — puts the body in a state of inflamma- tion, which can lead to conditions like cancer." Flexible, realistic Neither Gibbs nor Ostyre believe in combining any sense of dread or restriction with good nutrition. Gibbs adds that no one should ever eat a vegetable that they don't like. "The last thing they need is this fear … about one particular food," said Gibbs, especially with many options out there on healthy choices and ways to create them, such as smoothies. Ostyre agrees, and recommends clients eat a hamburger if they want H WE WALK FOR THE FIRST SURVIVOR OF ALZHEIMER'S Worcester County Walk to End Alzheimer's Sunday, September 23, 2018 Quinsigamond Community College Worcester, MA JOIN US act.alz.org/worcester 24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900 Percent of U.S. adults who say that compared to 20 years ago, they pay to eat healthy foods today: More attention ............................................................................................ 54% About the same amount of attention .......................................................... 19% Less attention ............................................................................................. 26% Eating habits of people today in the U.S. are: More healthy ............................................................................................... 29% About the same .......................................................................................... 17% Less healthy ............................................................................................... 54% Americans who are confused by conflicting studies about food and health news Percent of U.S. adults who say they hear or read news stories about the health effects of food and drink that conflict with earlier news stories: All the time .................................................................................................. 21% Some of the time ........................................................................................ 51% Not too often .............................................................................................. 21% Not at all ....................................................................................................... 5% Americans mostly feel that healthy eating habits are important for a long and healthy life Percent of U.S. adults who say each of the following is when it comes to improving a person's chances of a long and healthy life Healthy eating habits Very important ............................................................................................ 72% Somewhat important .................................................................................. 25% Not too important/not at all important .......................................................... 3% Getting enough exercise Very important ............................................................................................ 71% Somewhat important .................................................................................. 26% Not too important/not at all important .......................................................... 2% Safe and healthy housing conditions Very important ............................................................................................ 61% Somewhat important .................................................................................. 34% Not too important/not at all important .......................................................... 5% Genetics and hereditary factors Very important ............................................................................................ 47% Somewhat important .................................................................................. 45% Not too important/not at all important .......................................................... 8% How Americans classify their eating habits Percent of U.S. adults who say each of these statement describes them I focus on the taste and sensations of every meal Very well ..................................................................................................... 23% Fairly well .................................................................................................... 53% Not too well ................................................................................................ 20% Not at all well ................................................................................................ 4% My main focus is on eating healthy and nutritious Very well ..................................................................................................... 18% Fairly well .................................................................................................... 55% Not too well ................................................................................................ 23% Not at all well ................................................................................................ 3% I usually eat whatever is easy and most convenient Very well ..................................................................................................... 12% Fairly well .................................................................................................... 45% Not too well ................................................................................................ 34% Not at all well ................................................................................................ 9% People are more likely now to pay attention to how they eat, but less likely to actually eat healthy a hamburger, as long as it's in mod- eration and offset with healthier choices as well. "We used to recommend five [fruits and vegetables] per day. Now we recommend eight to 10 per day, and the more different colors, the better the cancer protection," and prevention of heart disease and dia- betes, Gibbs said. The good news is that those numbers represent serv- ing sizes: so one banana is usually two servings of fruit, for example. "It's about eating plant-based foods and not just one in particular, and looking at the whole context of your diet." Even reports of needing to drink 64 ounces of water a day are not the definite standard for everyone, Ostyre said. She said it is true that when we think we're hungry we are likely thirsty, but as long as urine is light or clear, one is not at risk of dehydration. Flavoring water is fine, she said. Trendy diets are not always what they appear to be, and may be so limiting that those on the eating plans don't stick with them long. "It's not about one day or one meal," said Gibbs. "It's what you eat over time."

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