Nutrition Analysis, Research Paper Example

Based on the information provided in the printouts from myplate.gov, I should be consuming the following:

• Calories: My target is 2000 calories per day
• Carbohydrates: My goal is 130 grams per day, or 45-65 percent of my daily caloric intake
• Fat: My target is 20-35 percent of calories, with less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fat
• Protein: My goal is 46 grams per day, or 10-35 percent of my caloric intake

My daily caloric intake, on the average, is on the lower side on a typical day, particularly during the weekdays. However, I also learned that on the weekends, I have a greater tendency to consume a larger number of calories and even went over my 2000 calorie allowance by 159 calories. On a standard weekday, my diet falls within some of the recommended allowances, including 21 percent of calories from protein, 56 percent of calories from carbohydrates, and 24 percent of calories from fat. On the weekend, however, my diet changed, as I consumed only 13 percent of calories from protein, 49 percent of calories from carbohydrates, and 39 percent of calories from fat. The latter statistic is over the recommended maximum of 35 percent. Over the weekend, I tend to consume less healthy foods, which led to the differences in caloric intake that I consumed. This is a challenge for me as I attempt to have greater control over my eating habits on the weekends; however, this is always difficult because the weekends are typically a time for eating out more frequently and when less attention is paid to the diet than during the weekdays.

Based on this exercise, I have learned that my dietary habits are somewhat inconsistent, as I possess some positive characteristics, as well as some negative characteristics. Therefore, I must aim to achieve a greater balance in my diet, which requires a daily effort. On the positive side, I generally consume sufficient amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat, which is a positive sign that my diet is at least somewhat balanced on some levels. In addition, I am consuming the proper amounts of some vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc, along with vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. These are encouraging signs that my diet is at least on the right track on many levels. Therefore, I must continue to explore new dietary options that will improve these numbers even further and provide me with a well-rounded approach to my diet that will satisfy my dietary goals and objectives over the long term.

However, I also recognize that in some areas, my dietary habits are not where they should be in terms of target goals and objectives. For example, I learned that I have a tendency to consume less dietary fiber than I require, which could problematic for my digestive system over the long term. Furthermore, I was over my caloric allowance on the weekend, I was also over on my cholesterol intake, over on my sodium intake, under on vitamin A, and also under on Vitamins C, D, E, and K, all of which could be alarming if they are not managed properly early on. Based upon these statistics, there is always room for improvement in my diet, and it provides me with an opportunity to explore the different possibilities that are available to improve the substance of my diet, along with my level of physical activity. This balance must be achieved in order to effectively improve my health and wellbeing, as well as my ability to fight disease throughout the life span.