Whai is UN World Health Day ?

Sunday, April 7, is World Health Day, and this year the main target is on high force per unit area, one among several chronic diseases that’s common round the world. About simple fraction of adults worldwide have high force per unit area, in keeping with the planet Health Organization (WHO).

Poor diet is one among several factors tributary to high force per unit area and different chronic diseases, and it’s one we will management for ourselves and our families. While we have a tendency to within the u. s. suffer from associate degree overabundance of food—and thus cope primarily with overweight and fat inflicting multiple health problems—some folks during this country and around the world face hunger. Both issues are often connected with diets lacking in nutrients.

In honor of World Health Day, Food Tank: The Food company is light the importance of alimental, environmentally sustainable food in combating hypertension, obesity, malnutrition and other diseases.

Danielle Nierenberg, founder of Food Tank, offers these strategies for creating healthier food and agriculture systems. Some of her recommendations address farming and agriculture, however they’re all smart food for thought.

1. Eat more vegetables and fruits.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends 3 to four servings of fruit and 4 to 6 servings of vegetables each day. Eating less than that can result in getting 80 percent fewer nutrients than are needed to maintain a healthy diet. Failing to meet these guidelines increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity and some cancers. Choose foods high in nutrients and low in calories.

2. Strengthen soil with intercropping and cover crops.
Many essential nutrients return from the soil, creating soil health crucial to manufacturing alimental food. Even if you simply plant a grounds garden, make certain to complement your soil. You may need to do intercropping with legumes, like alfalfa or peas, to help return nitrogen to the soil or using cover crops, which can be ploughed into the ground and return nutrients to the soil.

3. Know your nutrients.
Kale, sesame seeds, dried figs, salmon and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium. Dark green, leafed vegetables are wealthy in fat-soluble vitamin, that is comparable to fat-soluble vitamin within the manner it helps the form create the foremost of the calcium in food.
See our Nutrition Guide.

See our Nutrition Guide.

4. Support family farmers.
Small and medium-scale family farms ar additional doubtless than massive farms to provide nutrient-rich crops, using practices that help keep nutrients in the soil. Buying food at farmers markets and change of integrity a CSA ar smart ways in which to support family farms and facilitate build the native economy.

5. Choose whole grains.
Whole grains ar valuable, affordable sources of supermolecule and fiber and may facilitate scale back the chance of cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes and other diseases. However, they still structure but the suggested 1/2 total grain use within the u. s.. When searching, look for 100 percent whole wheat or 100 percent whole grain. Check to examine if the primary ingredient listed is whole wheat, whole meal or whole corn.

6. Eat out less.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) reports that some yankee restaurants serve parts up to eight times the dimensions suggested by the USDA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Eating home-cooked meals is a straightforward thanks to manage portion sizes and calories.

7. Buy and grow organic.
Research shows that organic fruits and vegetables have equal or bigger nutrient content than constant standard manufacture. The Environmental working party publishes associate degree annual Shopper’s Guide assessing that fruits and vegetables have the foremost pesticides. In 2012, apples, celery and sweet bell peppers were within the high three; but, onions, sweet corn and pineapples were among the safest foods to shop for as standard.

8. Choose grass-fed meat.
Lean meat will contain several valuable nutrients that support a healthy diet. Grass-fed meat typically has less fat than standard corn- and grain-fed meat merchandise. The mayonnaise Clinic reports that grass-fed meat has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acid fatty acids, linoleic acid and antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E.

9. Support indigenous, heritage and heirloom.
A study from the University of TX, Austin found that the number of nutrients in forty three food crops have considerably cut since 1950, mostly because of the stress on crop yields. Heritage breeds of farm animals and heirloom plant varieties, which have not been bred for increased yields, have the potential to be much more nutritious.