Healthy Eating: Extended Research. Facts, Figures & Visual Research.

Healthy Eating

I have decided to look at healthy as this is something i am interested in personally, I felt that it would be great to look into healthy eating in depth as this would only benefit my own personal understanding. When looking at the benefits it is obvious what the clear positives where in that eating healthier obviously helps the persons wellbeing, but i felt as many people don't eat healthy it would be better to look at what are seen as the negatives of healthy food are to understand what people 

I have gone onto Highlight the key points from my research.  

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Negative opinions on Healthy Eating:

I have gone onto Highlight the key points risen in this research_

_Healthy eating advice 'overload'

Half of British adults are fed up with being told what to eat by "do-good" campaigners, a survey suggests.Consumer research company Mintel found the barrage of healthy eating information is also leading to confusion among the public. More than two-thirds of the 988 adults questioned said it is hard to know which foods are healthy as expert advice keeps changing. A similar number said labelling did not help with selecting healthier options. Mixed messages_ Three out of five said it was difficult to work out if foods were healthy from the labels or information on food packets. At the other extreme, the researchers said they anticipated the emergence of so-called "super consumers" - people who take on board all messages about healthy diets and scrutinise the food they put on their plates. James McCoy, senior market analyst at Mintel, said: "There is clearly a large number of adults who are suffering from chronic information overload when it comes to healthy eating issues. "There is a wealth of information, which bombards the public in matters of health and diet and given the complexity of many of these issues, it is hardly surprising that so many consumers feel confused." He said health education campaigners needed to find new ways to encourage change for the better in diet among this section of the population. Small changes_ Jackie Lowdon of the British Dietetics Association said some campaigns sent out confusing and mixed messages that were not properly targeted. "This can be confusing for people. We need to make sure that messages are simple, positive, consistent, targeted and achievable." She said the BDA's five-a-day message - encouraging all people to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day - was a good example of how a clear health message could work. Dr Hannah Theobald, of the British Nutrition Foundation, said: "It is important that healthy eating messages are consistent to help ensure that the public understand these messages. "Small changes to the diet can have a big impact on health. "Providing clear nutrition information on food labels is the key to helping consumers make informed choices as far as diet is concerned. Work is under way to help make nutrition information easier to understand. "The increased incidence of obesity in this country over recent decades is a major concern. Unless something is done to address this we face a huge public health problem. We need to address poor diets and the lack of physical activity to help prevent this." The Food and Drink Federation, which represents the industry, has just issued guidance for shoppers on how to interpret food labels. The Food Standards Agency is currently looking at a number of ways to make food labelling clearer. Information Sourced From the BBC_ _ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4485079.stm _ This information below was sourced from_ _ http://www.livestrong.com/article/284521-problems-with-eating-healthy/ If eating healthy was easy, there would not be an obesity epidemic in the United States. There are many different reasons why eating healthy can be problematic for some. It is hard to change habits, while emotions and portion sizes may affect eating healthy. Identify the barriers that keep you from eating healthy and combat them with practical solutions. Changing Habits is Hard There are many unhealthy eating habits that people engage in, some of which date back to childhood. Finishing everything on a dinner plate or eating dinner even though you are not hungry are some examples. Other habits might be a tendency to gravitate toward unhealthy foods while grocery shop or snacking during the evening on high fat or high carbohydrate food. Identify your bad habits and tackle one at a time, rather than changing all at once. Making incremental changes toward healthy eating habits may be more sustainable. Food and Emotions For some people, eating patterns may be connected to different emotions or feelings. For instance, you might eat in the evening when bored or look for a snack when anxious. Perhaps you feel consoled when you eat "comfort food." Make a list of what you eat, when you eat it, and what you are feeling at the time. This will help you identify the reasons for going off track with your dietary plan. Use this information to change the pattern and address the emotion with another activity. For example, instead of snacking when you are stressed, exercise or take a walk. Portion Sizes Over the years, portion sizes have grown bigger and bigger. This leads to an unrealistic view about what acceptable portion sizes are for meals and snacks. Writing down what you eat and measuring how much you are eating is an important exercise in identifying if portion sizes are your problem. Before taking a bite out of your meal, plan your portion sizes and put the rest away to keep as leftovers. Eat slowly, savor every bite and make sure you are drinking water in between. Temptations Temptations to eat unhealthy food are everywhere. You will find these temptations on television, in the restaurants and at the grocery store. Keep healthy snack alternatives such as fruits and vegetables at home and at work. If the healthy food snack item is available, you may be less likely to give into the temptation to eat unhealthy food. Practical Problems To Healthy Eating With the fast-paced life that most of us lead, especially those in the urban cities, eating out is not necessarily out of choice but sometimes a compulsion. In such a scenario, healthy eating becomes secondary. Fast food is an easier option. Despite knowing that eating a wholesome meal is half the battle won against many diseases, a lot of us eat whatever is available at our disposal. A common misconception is that health food is bland and sometimes, even tasteless. While there are ways to make the food taste better, there are other practical considerations about eating healthy food, consistently. Healthy eating is not just about using lower quantity of saturated fats, but also consuming products that are rich in vitamins and minerals. There are a number of groceries that stock up on only organic products. If you stay somewhere close to a farm, then you could get your supplies of vegetables and fruits from there. You will have to look for food grown in soil that’s free from pesticides and is nutrient rich. These food items could be expensive because generally the produce from such fields is low. But you could buy non-perishable items in bulk as it could work out to be cheaper. Consuming locally grown produce is not only good for you, but also for the environment. If you find it difficult to find a local farmer’s market, then you could be a part of an agriculture group that’s supported by your community. The food items are tastier and since the produce reaches you over a shorter span of time, it’s also healthy. However, it could be difficult to do this if there are no Community Supported Agriculture Groups in your neighborhood. Alternatively you would have to look for farmers who grow food the healthy way and just ask him to send you a carton of fresh products regularly. One common question that people worry about is if healthy eating options are easily available. You must try to get your nutrients from different sources. This way you maintain a balance and also have variety. But this may not always be possible as wholesome food items are not always offered in your neighborhood super market. You must make a list of food supplies that you would need and know what products to avoid. You could check out online stores to see if they have those exotic herbs to make your Italian cuisine smell and feel authentic. Sourcing ingredients to ensure that you eat healthy always, could be a major issue. It’s relatively easier for you to cook whatever you would like to while you’re home. However, if your job involves a lot of travelling then healthy-eating-on-the-go could become a little difficult. Even though there are restaurants that cater to the health conscious, you may not always have such bistros or cafes in all the cities. Such restaurants are niche and hence their accessibility at any time of the day could be an issue. Sometimes, cooking healthy foods is time consuming. When you are hard-pressed for time, this may not be a very convenient option for you. Meals have to be prepared from scratch. Canned food items that are high on preservatives are a no-no if you would like to go all out and make a healthy meal. However, stores have breads and dessertsthat are made the traditional way thus ensuring that they are still high on nutrients. You could also make some of these food items when you are at leisure and store them for later use. Snacks, quick eats, and appetizers that are low on fat and sugar and high on proteins could be made. Pickles could be prepared with less salt. Home-made syrups, jams, and squashes are low on white refined sugar. Healthy food items generally don’t contain additives such as preservatives and flavoring agents. This could make the food perish sooner. Only legumes, dried fruits and nuts, and some types of fish could be stored for sometime. Since these products don’t contain colorants, they could appear less appealing to your kids. Hence, you would have to think of innovative ways to present the food and make it look appetizing. Involve the entire family, especially kids to ensure that your nutritious products are finished off. If you decide to have friends and relatives over for dinner, you could still cook healthy food for them. Because you are cooking for a larger crowd, you would have to take care to ensure that you don’t compromise on the nutrient value of the ingredients. Start early since conventional cooking could take a slightly longer duration. You may have to decide on the menu earlier if you would like to cook healthy food; you cannot put a pizza that you have just bought at a store into the oven and then pass it off as a nutritious meal. You cannot wait until the last minute. Cooking healthy food requires some extra time and effort, if you are having a party. Making healthy food could be a little daunting if you have a demanding schedule. But with sufficient practice and over a period of time, you will master the art of cooking healthy food even at short notice. There are online forums where you could get nutritious recipes and tips to make healthy eating less challenging. Cookbooks that aim at making healthy food items quickly and with minimal effort are also available. You could even sign up for cooking classes and learn to make healthy food items. Switching to healthy eating would take time especially if you are used to just grabbing a quick grub at the local deli. You must ensure that you don’t starve yourself and keep healthy snacks even at your workplace. It takes a lot of determination to not eat at the office cafeteria and instead pack your own lunch from home. If you have to eat out, look for restaurants and eateries that have enough options for you. Ask for a steamed or roasted preparation instead of something that’s deep fried. Get smaller portions and ensure that all the good work you have done by eating healthy throughout the week isn’t lost because of your one greasy meal at the pizzeria. References: Information Sourced From_ http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm http://www.healthyeatingadvisor.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healthy_diet http://ezinearticles.com/?Healthy-Eating-Despite-a-Busy-Work-Schedule&id=2322213 Facts and Statistics on Todays problems with Diet_  Over the past 30 years, the number of overweight children has doubled and the number of overweight teenagers has tripled. Studies show that individuals who are 20% or more overweight run a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and some forms of cancer. The prevalence of diabetes increased by 33% in the past 20 years, due primarily to the increased number of overweight people. It takes approximately 20 minutes for your brain to know that your stomach is full. The majority of items in existing vending machines contribute to a variety of health issues including obesity, diabetes and heart disease, as well as behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, fatigue and aggression. Over 300,000 deaths per year are caused by poor nutrition and a lack of physical activity. One out of every three children born today will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetime if dietary trends continue as they are today. A can of soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar. In the US, the average adult drinks about 500 cans of soda a year. In the United States, obesity is second only to smoking as a cause of death. According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, most food advertising on children's TV shows is for fast foods, soft drinks, candy and pre-sweetened cereals. Possotive opinions on Healthy Eating: _ Benefits of a Healthy Diet Maintaining an overall healthy diet not only offers your body the energy and nutrition that it needs to function, but offers several health benefits as well. Below is a list those foods that are the best for you body, and the health benefits that those foods provide. Fruits and Vegetables Health Benefits       Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables as an overall healthy diet may... reduce risk for stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. reduce risk for type 2 diabetes. protect against certain cancers, such as mouth, stomach, and colon-rectum cancer. reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. help decrease bone loss and reduce the risk of developing kidney stones. Whole Grains Grains, especially whole grains, provide several health benefits. Grains provide essential nutrients and helps reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Health Benefits      Eating a diet high in grains, especially whole grains, as an overall healthy diet may ... help with weight management. reduce constipation. reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. This information above is source from_ http://www.healthyforms.com/eating-right/benefits.php How do you get started on healthy eating? Healthy eating starts with learning new ways to eat, such as adding more fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and cutting back on foods that have a lot of fat, salt, and sugar. A change to healthier eating also includes learning about balance, variety, and moderation. Why pay attention to what you eat? Healthy eating will help you get the right balance of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It will help you feel your best and have plenty of energy. It can help you handle stress better. Healthy eating is one of the best things you can do to prevent and control many health problems, such as: Heart disease. High blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes. Some types of cancer. Is healthy eating the same as going on a diet? Healthy eating is not a diet. It means making changes you can live with and enjoy for the rest of your life. Diets are temporary. Because you give up so much when you diet, you may be hungry and think about food all the time. And after you stop dieting, you also may overeat to make up for what you missed. Eating a healthy, balanced variety of foods is far more satisfying. And if you match that with more physical activity, you are more likely to get to a healthy weight-and stay there-than if you diet. How do you make healthy eating a habit? First, think about your reasons for healthier eating. Do you want to improve your health? Do you want to feel better? Are you trying to set an example for your kids? Next, think about some small changes you can make. Pick ones you can keep doing. Don't try to change everything at once. Set an easy goal you can reach, like having a salad and a piece of fruit each day. Make a long-term goal too, such as having one vegetarian dinner a week. Where can you get support? Having support from others can be a huge help. The more support you have, the easier it will be to make changes. Ask family and friends to practice healthy eating with you. Have them help you make meals, and share healthy, delicious recipes and cooking tips. If you need more help, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. Look online for groups that support healthy eating and share success stories. 10 Benefits of healthy eating Why should you eat a low GI, low fat, low sugar and high fibre diet? Ten reasons: 1. Feel energised.  Variable blood sugar levels can lead to fatigue. Low GI foods fill you up quicker and keep your fuller for longer. As result, you'll feel more energetic and be less likely to experience energy dips. 2. Keep your body functioning optimally. Your body needs certain nutrients on a daily basis to function optimally and keep it in good condition. A balanced, low fat, low sugar, low GI diet can improve the quality of your diet and provide all the nutrients you need. 3. Concentrate better. Fluctuation blood sugar levels can result in poor concentration. A low GI diet can stabilise your blood sugar levels and so improve your attention span. 4. Manage your moods. Stable blood sugar levels can also improve your mood, while omega-3 fatty acids as assist in the management of depression and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). 5. Control cravings. By balancing blood glucose levels and lowering your sugar intake, cravings tend to reduce. 6. Lose weight. Sugar, which contains lots of 'empty calories', and dietary fats can lead to weight gain. Diets high in fibre and low GI foods help you feel fuller for longer, which means you're likely to eat less. High insulin levels also enhance fat storage in the body. 7. Protect your heart. Healthy fats and fibre can help protect your heart by lowering your cholesterol, while a low GI diet can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. There is also evidence that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and may help lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease. 8. Lower your blood pressure.  Diets high in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids are linked to reduced blood pressure. 9. Reduce your risk of cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids' inflammation lowering properties may also help lower your risk of cancer, while fibre's effective elimination characteristics help keep the gut wall healthy, reducing the probability of cancer of the colon. Obesity, which is associated with high fat diets, is linked to an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer (oesophagus, bowel, breast, endometrium and kidney). 10.Prevent and/or manage diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes is associated with the excessive consumption of high GI foods and foods that contain too much fat. Balanced, low GI diets can help prevent this type of diabetes, as well as manage type 1 diabetes, which usually has a genetic component. Following a healthy diet has both short- and long-term benefits, but it's not always easy to maintain healthy eating behaviour when these benefits are vague or not immediate. Knowing what's in it for you now can help making better food choices a little easier. Visual Research: I have found that from this research the main problem was a massive overload of information, and the fact that the vital information that is being communicated is not effective and is confusing also looking at how Healthy food is communicated to the audience. I have decided to look at existing examples of healthy food packaging and how it is distributed. I have also decided to look at healthy food Companies looking at both effective and not effective outcomes i have analysed all of them giving my opinion Consumer research company Mintel found the barrage of healthy eating information is also leading to confusion among the public. More than two-thirds of the 988 adults questioned said it is hard to know which foods are healthy as expert advice keeps changing. A similar number said labelling did not help with selecting healthier options.   Visual Research_ Into existing branding for healthy food companies. I feel that the design above displays how healthy food is badly branded as you can see the mundane green reflects a very old and boring company, If i want to attract a younger audience it is vital that i create a design that is eye catching and effective with communication. The branding shown below is much closer to the direction i want to take with my design. I feel the much more modern aesthetic will be much more appealing to the target audience. However i would say the colour scheme is too much I feel that this can create an image that could be seen as being cheap and in some cases tacky this is not going to be effective for me when my concept is all about giving healthy foods desirability and a cheap crowded brand would not in anyway communicate this. However some aspects of this do work very effectively, for example the logo design shows how a simplistic typeface is much more effective, i feel this will be highly effective in communicating the cleanliness of healthy foods.  Another of the key points i have taken from my initial research is the fact that people see eating healthily is boring in my opinion this is all from the branding of these products this is simply a message that is conveyed by the packaging and labelling of the products themselfs as i have shown above the labels look dated and boring to much information at once makes the viewer not bother to read. This is the problem at hand! A common misconception is that health food is bland and sometimes, even tasteless. While there are ways to make the food taste better, there are other practical considerations about eating healthy food, consistently. I have researched into how this can be avoided, I looked at an inspiration of mine rob riches. He is mainly a body builder as a career but he offers great dietary advice and makes meals that are in no way boring i have looked at some examples below to show how eating healthily does not mean eating boring. I have gone onto look at a range of photography of healthy foods, the main thing i have found is a lot of this is down to presentation. my branding will also communicate this, i will also try and replicate how the food is prepared to match the brand of the company.