Eating is a part of life. It’s as natural as breathing, blinking and sleeping.
We need food to live. It provides nourishment to fuel our mind and body.
The sight or mere mention of food can send messages to our brain that trigger chemical
reactions throughout the body and make us think we’re hungry. Our stomach
growls and our mouth waters. Take potato chips, for instance. You really can’t
eat just one. Our innate craving for salt and fat have us dipping into the potato
chip bowl over and over.
Food is a big part of our local culture and everyday living. It’s often the
centerpiece for gatherings and celebrations. And “comfort foods” that
remind us of our youth and growing up can have a positive psychological effect on
our mood.
There’s no arguing the power of food. But eating too much – especially foods
high in fat, sugar, salt and calories – has resulted in a national health
crisis. The number of obese people nationwide has doubled within 20 years, from
15 percent of the U.S. population in the 1970s to 30 percent by 2000. This has produced
more than just bigger waistlines. Increased weight also puts a toll on the human
body. Studies show overweight people are at higher risk for developing chronic diseases
such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, hypertension and other illnesses.
These conditions lower a person’s quality of life and contribute to the overall
cost of health care due to expensive treatments.
Increased evidence shows that diseases and other health conditions caused by excess
weight can be prevented by leading a healthy lifestyle that includes proper nutrition
and exercise. Yet there’s a large gap between dietary recommendations and
what people actually eat. For instance, only about 25 percent of U.S. adults –
and 21 percent of young people – eat the recommended five or more servings
of fruits and vegetables each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. New U.S. Dietary Guidelines also urge people to eat three daily
servings of whole grains, or a total of 48 grams a day. Most Americans eat less
than one serving, and about a third don’t eat any.
How can we make the right food choices that will satisfy our hunger, yet still keep
us healthy?
At HMSA, we want to help you make the right lifestyle choices to stay healthy. That’s
why we will launch HMSA’s eat healthy Campaign this year
to encourage people to make smarter eating choices. This multifaceted campaign will
provide HMSA members and the community with positive messages to help you eat healthy.
It will feature community partnerships, fun family activities, and informative and
entertaining media messages with practical nutritional advice and tips that include:
- Choosing foods that provide the best nutrition, such as fruits, vegetables and whole
grains.
- Being aware of portion sizes.
- Making healthier food substitutions when cooking or eating out at restaurants.
- The importance of eating a nutritious breakfast.
- The importance of eating fruits and vegetables.
Most importantly, the campaign will show you that healthy eating doesn’t have
to be boring. You can prepare nutritious meals that are also flavorful and tasty
for you and the entire family. You can start by making small changes. Substitute
half of the white rice you cook with brown rice to make “hapa rice”
(brown rice provides more nutrients and fiber than white rice). Instead of having
ice cream for dessert, try low-fat frozen yogurt. Substitute hamburger meat in your
spaghetti or chili with low-fat ground turkey.
HMSA’s eat healthy Campaign coordinates with our go
campaign, launched in 2005, which encourages people of all ages to get up, get out
and get active to increase their physical activity. Physical fitness is just one
component of achieving health and wellness. Another important component is eating
a balanced, nutritious diet.
A healthy diet can help you lose excess weight and maintain a healthy weight. Studies
show that eating certain foods can help ward off cancer, manage diabetes, aid in
digestion, lower cholesterol and high blood pressure, and give you more energy.
By raising public awareness about the benefits of eating healthy, HMSA hopes to
show how we can all enjoy a healthy, active life.
The campaign will also help young people make healthy eating choices. Obesity among
Hawai‘i’s youth is higher than the national average. At HMSA, we believe
that instilling healthy eating habits in young people will help them make smart
food choices as adults.
Here’s what you can expect from HMSA’s eat healthy
Campaign:
- Healthy cooking demonstrations in communities statewide.
- A web site
offering valuable information about the importance of proper nutrition, healthy
eating tips, recipes the entire family can enjoy, and other information encouraging
people to eat healthy.
- Feature articles in Island Scene magazine and Island Scene Online.
- Healthy eating messages in print and on radio and TV, including HMSA Now on digital
cable channel 344.
- More fun and exciting activities for the entire family to enjoy.
No matter how old you are or what your health status is, you can benefit from making
smarter food choices. We’re not saying you should never eat a hamburger or
indulge in a malassada. It’s OK to treat yourself now and then. But adopting
good eating habits can help make healthy eating part of your lifestyle instead of
a chore. Stay tuned to HMSA’s eat healthy Campaign to learn
how you can make healthy eating a natural part of your everyday life.