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A healthy diet is an essential part of overall health. A healthy diet decreases the risk for many health problems including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and other , EC conditions related to overweight and obesity.66 General guidelines for a healthy diet from the World Health Organization are: 67,68
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There are many individual behaviors that are common risk factors for the leading causes of disease and death. Physical inactivity, poor diet, tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and insufficient coping strategies to stressors have large impacts on our health. While these are individual choices and responses, many social, economic, and environmental factors greatly influence them.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables • Eat more beans, nuts and grains • Choose low-fat dairy products over full-fat versions • Choose lean proteins over higher-fat proteins • Limit amounts of salt, sugar and fat • Choose unsaturated fats like olive and canola oils • Limit fats like butter and lard • Eliminate trans-fatty acids (“trans fats”) Trans fats are found in packaged foods and some shortenings and margarines. They are listed in the ingredient list as “partially hydrogenated” oil.
Tobacco Use&Exposure Avoiding tobacco is one of the best ways to protect your health. Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.69 Tobacco use is defined as smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or hookah) or using smokeless products (chewing tobacco and snuff).70 Secondhand smoke also has negative effects on health. There is no safe level of tobacco exposure.71
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