Food is any material eaten to provide nutrition to the organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and often contains necessary nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, or iron. The food we eat is the fuel that keeps us going; without food to sustain us, we fall sick and weak. But did you know that even certain types of foods can be poisonous to humans if taken in large or excessive amounts?

Vegetables are a great source of nutrition for a person needs. In fact, studies have shown that consuming at least six servings a day of fresh vegetables and other natural, unprocessed foods has been shown to decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, including colon cancer. Although the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamins is the equivalent of about two thousand calories, most people do not eat that amount. The average American eats close to seven thousand calories per day. Fruits, which also provide important nutrients, are an added bonus.

Real Foods vs. “The Big Box” – Today’s economy has forced many consumers to think outside the box when shopping for groceries. When food shopping, keep in mind what you actually need to feed your body. The real foods may be a bit more expensive, but they contain more nutrients and fiber than the super packed “boxes”. For example, whole-grain bread is less expensive than its white counterpart, but it contains more fiber and protein.

Nutrient Value Meats contains different types of nutrients and meats are one of the higher quality foods when it comes to protein. Lean meats, including chicken and turkey are the best choice. Lean cuts of beef, ground beef, and sirloin steak are also good choices. Fish and seafood are healthy too. Eating different types of meats will keep you satisfied longer.

Fatty Acid Balance – It seems that the “bad cholesterol” is the one that should be reduced in order to lower blood pressure. However, there has been no proven link between fat and diabetes. Eating real food can help lower your blood sugar, which can be a huge benefit if you have diabetes. Eating processed food can actually cause an increase in blood pressure.

Processed Food vs. Healthy Food – Eating processed food can definitely increase your risk for diabetes. Processed foods contain more refined sugars, hydrogenated oils, artificial sweeteners, trans fats, salt, and other additives. Processed foods use more calories, fewer nutrients, and more calories and fats than fresh produce. Processed food contains few nutrients and salts used locally and add others to the list already mentioned.