Unhealthy eating habits contribute to approximately 678,000 deaths annually in the UnitedStates due to nutrition and obesity-related diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and type2 diabetes. In the last 30 years, obesity rates have multiplied at epidemic rates across all age segments focusing attention nutrition and diets. On May 20, 2017, BAPS Charities hosted a Health Awareness Lecture in New Orleans, LA to discuss the importance of proper nutrition and healthy eating habits.
Dr. Nautam Ganatra explained the importance of prioritizing our diets as part of a holistic approach to living healthier and helping prevent diseases. A well-balanced diet consists of proportional calories from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and dairy in addition to minimizing foods with saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars. Each category provides a variety of nutritional value. Fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants while whole grains are high in protein and fiber. The key is understanding our individual needs and make small but incremental changes to our eating style to balance across the categories.
