Understanding the Link Between Diet and Chronic Disease: Keeping Your Family Safe

Instances of chronic diseases in the United States are on the rise. Illnesses such as type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are being diagnosed every day in adults and children alike. While stress and a lack of exercise can contribute to these issues, a poor diet is a common cause of their development. If you want to protect your family from chronic illness, it may help you to understand a few facts about the link between diet and poor health.

The Dangers of Obesity

The number of obese Americans has been on the rise for several years now. Some experts blame an increase of technology, which causes people to sit and start at their phone or tablet screens, while others point to a lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. In truth, these can all contribute to weight gain and obesity. Understanding the importance of proper nutrition can help keep this problem at bay, which can be especially important for your children.

You can teach your children new dietary and exercise habits by involving the whole family. Involve everyone creating a shopping list, search for fun and healthy recipes online with your older kids, and go on evening walks three or four times a week. You can even include the family dog, as pets can also benefit from routine exercise.

Say No To Soda

While your children may clamor for soda when you shop, it is best to look for alternatives because the added sugars in many carbonated sodas can add up. For example, one twelve-ounce container of regular soda can contain anywhere from thirty or more grams of sugar, and other sweetened drinks have added sugar that only intensifies the drink’s sweetness. The more sugary drinks your kids consume, the more likely they are to crave sweet foods or those that are high in fat.

Sparkling or infused water can satisfy your kid’s desire for the fizz and sweet touch that soda provides. You can also make your own sun tea at home and sweeten it with Stevia, a plant-based sugar that does not cause the types of cravings that fructose might. It may be difficult to stop your kids from drinking soda when they are with friends, but at least you know what they are drinking at home is better for them.

Cut Back on Salty Foods

Salty snacks like chips, pretzels, and other munchies may be low in sugar, but their sodium levels can be considerable. Other salty culprits include most canned soups, packaged noodles, and pre-packaged meals for the microwave. Eating foods high in sodium can lead to high blood pressure in many adults because it causes the body to retain fluid. As a result, the heart must work harder, which can lead to a heart attack or an aneurysm.

Using salt substitutes in cooking and providing snacks that are low in sodium can reduce the risk of hypertension. While sea salt does have less added ingredients, it is just as salty as the iodized version and typically will not lower the sodium content of any meal you add it to.

Add More Organic Foods To Your Diet

While new cancer research and treatments are being discovered all over the world, such as those funded and guided by inventor and entrepreneur Harry Stylli, there are ways you can protect your family from this devastating disease. One way is to add more organic fruits, vegetables, and meat to your diet to avoid the chemicals and heavy metals some treated foods contain. While organic foods may be more expensive than most supermarket items, even adding a few can reduce the risk of cancer.