When girls are chewing gum instead of real food

Jun 15, 2003

Do you know that it has become fashionable for some female university students to live on chewing gum and commercially packed juice for a week or more without any other food?

Nutrition with Grace Canada

Do you know that it has become fashionable for some female university students to live on chewing gum and commercially packed juice for a week or more without any other food?

Apparently, this is done out of fear of being fat, and in an effort to become more admirable and socially accepted. This is understandable. After all our society has become quite good at making cruel fun of over weight people.

However, there is no question that while self-starvation may fetch results, they are short lived. The weight lost is regained and even more.

Starvation diets are harmful to your mental, physical and emotional health.

There are many documented cases where by women and young girls have practiced self-starvation for fun or in the name of fashion.

Unfortunately, some of them have gotten so deep into the practice, that even when they need to stop to save their lives, they are not able to stop.

Our bodies are designed like machines. In order to function well, they need fuel, water and oil. When you deprive an engine of fuel or water or oil, the engine will certainly not function well.

Likewise, humans need proper food and water for proper functioning.

Let us look at food and its function in our bodies:

  • From the moment of conception until we die, our bodies need energy to keep alive. Even when we are asleep we use energy to pump blood around the body, breath digest food and keep warm.

  • Every second millions of cells in our bodies die and are replaced by new ones. This requires energy. Also, after an illness, or injury energy is required to repair damaged tissues.

  • Our bodies, especially those of growing children and young adults need an adequate variety of building blocks for growth, repair and maintenance of the body.

  • The brain is sensitive to energy levels and requires a constant adequate supply of fuel (glucose) in the blood supply for its proper function.

    The building materials and energy needed for the mentioned functions and others, come from foods we eat. Therefore, you cannot live on fruit and chewing gum and except to think clearly or feel well.

    For proper functioning of our bodies, including the brain, we need to eat a variety of healthy foods in adequate amounts.

    On a daily basis, we require some protein, starch, good fats (plant source with the exception of coconut and palm oil), plenty of fruits and vegetables.

    We strongly suggest that instead of sabotaging yourself with starvation diets, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, some lean meat, fish, or chicken without skin, beans, peas, and drink 8-12 glasses of water daily.

    Avoid sweets, chocolate, soda, all soft drinks, cake, biscuits, white bread, potato chips and sausages.

    Try to include in your time budget 30-40 minutes for physical exercise daily.

    If you find it difficult to exercise alone, form a group. Groups can be quite motivating. Try it. It really works.

    Good luck as you follow these tips.
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