The health concerns and
needs of women today have changed significantly. Today, women live 30 years
longer than they did at the turn of the century. The major killers of American
women are now chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic
lung disease and diabetes. This phenomenon has caused researchers and health
professionals to shift their focus toward understanding nutrition and how it
affects woman's overall health. The Department of Health & Human Services,
as part of their "Healthy Women 2000" initiative, has identified nutrition
as a priority area for health promotion and disease prevention. Through continued
research and educational programs they are hoping to help women lead longer
and healthier lives through a balanced diet.
Proper nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. A good diet not only helps promote health but also can help prevent chronic diseases. In contrast, poor dietary habits can contribute to health conditions including heart disease, osteoporosis and some cancers. Although the eating patterns of American women are improving, there is still a considerable gap between public health recommendations and consumer practice. For example, most women are not getting adequate amounts of calcium, fiber, fruits, vegetables and other health-promoting dietary components.
Fortunately, there is information available to help women achieve a balanced, healthful diet. Tools such as the Federal Government's Food Guide Pyramid, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the 5-A-Day for Better Health Program can provide important information about nutrition recommendations for the public. In addition, nutrition assistance programs, such as the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, & Children supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, are helping low-income women and their children improve their nutritional status by providing dietary information and access to nutritional foods.
Getting the proper nutrition is an important step in leading a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few nutritional guidelines that you may want to follow:
Choose a diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, and grain products, which provide needed vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates.
Choose low-fat dairy products and other foods rich in calcium to protect against osteoporosis.
Vitamin and mineral supplements can be useful, however, foods are better sources of vitamins and minerals than supplements because foods also contain important components such as fiber.
Use sugar only in moderation. A diet with lots of sugar has too many calories and too few nutrients.
Keep your alcohol consumption to one drink or less a day. Alcohol is a cause of many health problems including alcohol addiction, cirrhosis, osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. Because fat contains more than twice the calories of an equal amount of carbohydrates or protein, a diet low in fat can help maintain a healthy weight.
If you would like more information about this topic please contact the Civilian Employee Assistance Program Counseling & Referral Service (CEAP C/RS) at (202) 433-0087 or 800-995-9791. Our team of mental health professionals would be happy to provide you with more detailed information on how to lead a healthier lifestyle and introduce you to the various nutrition programs and initiatives being conducted in your area.