Healthy Eating Plan Comparison

Healthy Eating Plan Comparison

My experience with the MyPyramid Tracker has been extraordinary. I have noticed that taking the time to input the daily nutrient intake and receive a snapshot of my eating habits has been an eye-opening experience that has heightened my awareness for sodium as well as fatty foods and empty calories in my diet. I have become aware of eating more often throughout the day instead of starving myself and over-eating at lunch or dinner.

I continue to start each day with a protein shake and an additional vitamin B supplement to ensure that I am consuming the necessary vitamins and minerals needed to support the critical functions of my body. I have learned that taking too much vitamin B can be dangerous and this vitamin does not work on its own, rather in conjunction with other nutrients and vitamins. Vitamin B needs co-enzymes to allow the body to benefit from this vitamin. Prior to inputting the information in the MyPyramid tracker, I was unaware of how much it matters that I choose wisely when considering what to eat and how often I should be eating. I continue to eat many of the foods that I consumed previous to this class, however, I now choose foods that have less cholesterol and I am not afraid to eat carbohydrates in moderate quantities. Over the past eight weeks, I have noticed better health and higher tolerance to virus's associated with doing business in the public sector and interacting with customers as well as employees. My diet includes a good balance of the vitamins and minerals needed for my body weight and height. I have cut back on the amount of wine and snacks that increased my empty calories as well as the unnecessary fat intake that plagued my daily diet. I have adjusted how my job affects my eating habits by setting an alarm to make sure that I eat every three hours throughout the day instead of starving myself and binge eating at dinner. Regardless of whether I am working in the office or visiting stores, I now take fruit to eat between stores or stop for a small meal that includes higher fiber and lower calories such as salad, fruits, or vegetables.

According to the nutritional recommendations from MyPyramid Tracker, I needed to cut back on items in my diet that contain saturated fat, sodium, and animal byproducts which contain cholesterol. My diet contained too many items such as cheese and meat that when consumed in excess, have a tendency to raise a person's cholesterol to unhealthy levels. Another habit that I have changed, with very few exceptions, is eating within three hours of going to bed. My metabolism has slowed with age and I must adjust habits created in my earlier years. I have taken this information to heart and given myself a reality check. As long as I am on this earth, I must be accountable for the life I choose to live and the habits that I keep or break. I do need to get back on a regular exercise regimen. The weather in Arizona is much cooler than it was in early September and I have no excuses for returning to my routine of walking four miles on a regular basis.

The weather is cooler and we recently purchased bicycles for our children. We have a park in our neighborhood, and it is easy to ride to the park once the children arrive home from school as well as on the weekends. Both of my children enjoy golfing and we will have opportunities to golf, bike, and play outside since summer has faded and fall is upon us. I need to be better at shutting off work and school to take advantage of the time