by Starr
7/1/08
Keeping your body alive and healthy is very important. You should exercise a minimum of 60 minutes everyday. Don't forget to eat healthy too. You should have at least 6oz. of grains, 2 1/2 cups of vegetables, 2 cups of fruit, 3 cups of milk products (dairy), and 5 1/2 cups of meat/beans/nuts. This means you should have a balanced diet, and of course eat all three meals a day. The benefits of eating these foods are different for each category. The five categories also provide different nutrients.
Benefits
| Grains | Vegetables | Fruit | Dairy | Meat, Beans, Nuts |
| -Helps prevent cancer -Helps digestion |
-Helps digestion -Healthy blood pressure |
-Heals cuts -Helps you to not cramp up -Better complexion |
-Stronger bones -Helps you grow |
-Builds muscle -Builds/repairs body tissues -Carries oxygen throughout body |
Nutrients
| Grains | Vegetables | Fruit | Dairy | Meat, Beans, Nuts |
| Vitamin B | Vitamin A | Vitamin C | Calcium | Protein |
You need these nutrients to help your body keep itself 'up and running'. Of course you may have some sweets once in a while, just not too much.
You need calcium to build your bones and to keep them strong later in life. As a child, you need(ed) your calcium to help your bones grow. Your bones are still growing and you're also storing bone calcium that you'll need for the rest of your life.
Vitamin C helps the body heal and grow new cells. Fruits also contain potassium which helps you to not cramp up. The vitamin C you get from fruits is also important to help your body use the iron you get from other foods. Vitamin A is particularly good for your skin and your eyes.
Like fruits, vegetables also contain potassium. The job for the B vitamins is to release energy from the foods you eat so that your body can use the energy. They also play a role in keeping you healthy, especially your blood, your skin, and your nervous system.
Along with fruits and vegetables, Grains contain fiber. The dietary fiber helps with digestion and is thought to reduce your risk of certain kinds of cancer. Grains also provide carbohydrates, otherwise known as carbs. Complex carbs are burned at a slow rate, rather than all at once, which means your body can use them for several hours after you've even them. That's why athletes involved in endurance activities load up on carbs before a competition.
Meat, Beans, and Nuts provide protein, which your body needs to build strong muscles. You need protein especially when you're growing. Meat, Beans and Nuts also contain iron which is needed to carry oxygen throughout the body. So don't forget to exercise daily and eat healthy!
