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"You are what you eat." There's a lot of truth to this old cliche What we eat and how much plays a big role in how healthy we feel. Culture also plays a role in how we feel about our bodies. Although healthy bodies come in a variety of shapes, many Americans hold ideal body images few can match. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to the myth of the perfect body, e.g., a thin body, or a muscle-bound physique. For many teenagers, this is the time of rapid growth, yet the rate of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia for this age group have increased at alarming rates. Understanding basic nutrition and accepting our individual bodies are critical steps to good health. Carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals are the basic nutritional building blocks that provide the fuel our bodies need to function and perform. Carbohydrates, such as breads, cereals, and sugar, are our main source of quick energy. Fats, whether solid or liquid, are our primary slow-burning energy sources. Proteins, both complete and incomplete, are the body's chief building materials. Essential vitamins and minerals are also found in many of the foods we eat. Obtaining the right proportion of nutrients is critical to our health. Eating the right number of calories is just as important. Ideally, our caloric intake should equal the total amount of energy our bodies need for growth and repair. Using a calorimeter, nutritionists have calculated the caloric energy of particular foods. This information, and the product's ingredients, are listed on most food packages. Keeping your body healthy is a personal balancing act. The goal is to get the essential nutrients you need, while eating no more calories than your body expends.
