Regular Tune Ups: Reducing Health Risks

If you were to put regular unleaded fuel into a car requiring premium fuel, you would notice some negative consequences. Carbon deposits would build up in the engine, the engine lubrication process would be wrecked, and driving with the lower-grade fuel could result in total engine failure.

Your body is similar to these high-end cars, because you also require premium fuel, or high-nutrient foods. When you eat junk food, or low-nutrient foods (similar to some regular unleaded fuels), your body does not function as well, and long-term use of the wrong “fuel” can lead to serious health problems.

In this topic, you will learn how to identify low-nutrient foods and poor nutrition, and how to avoid them and the negative effects they have on your body -- to keep you on the road and running strong.

Essential Questions:

• What are the qualities of high-nutrient and low-nutrient foods?
• What effect does poor nutrition have on the body?
• What are some ways to improve your food selections and dietary habits?