Back to Basics: Sustainable Eating
Quiz Results
See
how you scored! Then read the informative article below.
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Question |
Correct
Answer |
Your
Answer |
| 1. |
A natural food is healthier than other foods. |
False
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False.
While natural may be healthy, it does not have anything to do with the nutrients in a food. |
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| 2. |
Vegetarians are healthier than non-vegetarians. |
False
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False. Eating a vegetarian diet may be a healthy way to eat, provided it is well planned. Simply eliminating meat without replacing it with appropriate foods will not guarantee good health. |
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| 3.
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Everyone needs a vitamin/mineral supplement. |
False
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False.
There are certainly situations where a supplement may be helpful. For instance, if you can not tolerate milk products or if you are using oral contraceptives or if you are a smoker, taking a supplement may be a good idea. |
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| 4. |
Organic and natural mean the same thing. |
False |
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False. The words natural and organic are not interchangeable. Truthful claims, such as "free-range," "hormone-free," and "natural," can still appear on food labels. However, don't confuse these terms with "organic." Only food labeled "organic" has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards. |
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| 5.
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Smoothies are good for you. |
True and False
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True and false. Depending on the ingredients they are made with, smoothies may be chock full of nutrients. If they are made with fresh fruit rather than syrup, they will provide you with plenty of vitamins. Regardless of what is in a smoothie, they are often quite high in calories and may not be a good choice for a beverage if you are concerned about your calorie intake. You might choose them as a healthy snack. |
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Back to Basics: Sustainable Eating
There is a movement on college campuses to adopt more environmentally sound food systems. Termed sustainable agriculture, it has three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Purchasing foods from local markets, using seasonal foods and offering more vegetarian options are all supportive of this goal. The result can be healthier eating and a healthier environment, but it is important to do it right, not just do it.
If eating lower on the food chain is your choice, keep in mind that a vegetarian diet can be healthy and satisfying, but some planning is needed to make it work. Unless properly planned, the diet may be unbalanced and lacking in certain critical nutrients. The vegetarian food pyramid has been developed to make planning a vegetarian diet quite simple.
Vitamin supplements may be useful, but they will never make a bad diet better. |
The key concern with a vegetarian diet is that, once you eliminate a food group, you eliminate certain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients common to that group. The more foods you eliminate, the more likely it is that you’ll lack certain nutrients. Armed with accurate nutrition information, the potential problems with a vegetarian diet can be avoided.
Students often question the need to take a vitamin supplement once they become vegetarians (or just in general). Vitamin supplements may be useful and necessary in many situations, but they will never make a bad diet better. (See Choosing a Vitamin/Mineral Supplement)
Woven into this theme of sustainable eating, we often hear foods advertised as organic and natural. Just what do these terms mean? The United States Department of Agriculture has established standards for the term “organic”:
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
Organic does not mean more nutritious, safer, or tastier. |
Organic, however, does not mean more nutritious, safer, or tastier. While the term organic is clearly defined, “natural” is not. Because a product labeled as natural guarantees you nothing at all, do not be misled by it.
Vegetarian or not, you can do your part to support sustainable eating by selecting seasonal foods, supporting local farmers, and analyzing your diet to be sure you are eating foods that are healthy for you and the environment.
Can healthy eating and college life go together? Absolutely! Get the nutrition facts you need in the book Eating Well on Campus by Ann Litt, M.S., R.D., L.D.
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