Potential Questions
How do I know whether or not I am getting adequate nutrition?
The only way a person can be absolutely sure about their nutrition is to have their blood tested for the levels of various vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids. However, generally one can be reasonably sure about their nutritional sufficiency if they eat a healthy and diverse diet consisting of good sources of fat and protein, as well as many types of fruits and vegetables every day, and minimal carbohydrates.
If I am not overweight, does this mean my lifestyle is healthy?
Not necessarily. Although it is good to not be overweight, this cannot be taken as conclusive proof that one is healthy, at least on its own. In fact, it is quite possible to eat an unhealthy diet and still be thin, especially with a high metabolism. Alternatively, one can be overweight and still be nutrient deficient. It is ironic that one can be overweight and yet be "starving" at a cellular level. The best way to know if you are healthy is to consult a nutritionist and eat a healthy diet.
How do I distinguish healthy food from its unhealthy counterpart?
Generally one can tell unhealthy food by relying on several indicators. If food is fried, processed and packaged, or portioned excessively it is probably unhealthy. The better way is to understand what constitutes a healthy meal and then reject anything which doesn't meet these standards. Secondly, it is important to stop eating when one feels full and to not eat out of boredom.
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I'm young and feel fine despite having a less than healthy diet, can't I worry about this decades down the road when it starts to have a major impact on my health?
No! It is crucial to monitor ones health long before it becomes problematic. Oftentimes it is too late to reverse the damage once symptoms start to occur. Also, when people are young they may feel fine despite not eating healthy, but this does not mean their poor diet is not doing damage. Additionally, it is important to form good habits early in life, as entrenched habits die hard.
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Can poor nutrition affect my studies?
Absolutely! In fact, a poor enough diet WILL affect every aspect of a person's life, especially high cognitive demand activities such as studying and paying attention. Since everyone's body is like a complex piece of machinery, this question is like asking, "Will putting cooking oil rather than motor oil in my car affect how it runs?"
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