University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension in Lancaster County
Food Reflections
Helping Every Time You Eat March 2000

Time For A Tune-up?

 

Healthy car If you treated your car like you treat your body, would you own a RACE CAR or a CLUNKER? Sick car
 

Images, copyright 2000 Food and Health Communications, Inc.
http://www.foodandhealth.com from the Low-Carb Fad Diet Presentation Kit
and HealthClips Clip Art Collection

If you cared for your car like you care for yourself, what type of miles per gallon would you get? Or, would your auto move at all?

Take this 10-question CAR CARE TEST and then compare the human equivalent (HEQ) for your body.

1. Do you recharge your car's battery if it runs low?

HEQ: Do you get enough sleep?

2. Do you refill your car's gas tank when it's empty?

HEQ: Do you eat meals/snacks at regularly-spaced times
throughout the day?

3. Do you use the right type of fuel for your car?

HEQ: Do you eat the right variety of foods from each
Food Guide Pyramid group?

4. Do you make sure your car's radiator has enough water?

HEQ: Do you drink about 8 cups of liquid a day -- mostly
from water, juice and milk?

5. Do you read the owner's manual to get the best performance from your car?

HEQ: Do you take advantage of opportunities to learn more about
healthy eating and other healthy lifestyle choices?

6. Do you clean your car's body so it doesn't rust out?

HEQ: Do you brush and floss your teeth daily?

7. Do you limit passengers to a number your car's structure can handle?

HEQ: Do you keep your weight at a healthy level?

8. If smoke poured from your car, would it concern you?

HEQ: Do YOU smoke?

9. Do you give your car regular tune-ups?

HEQ: Do you participate in moderate to vigorous physical
activity most days?

10. Do you keep the proper pressure in your tires?

HEQ: Do you keep your stress at a healthy level?

Sometimes there seem to be a lot of similarities between our cars and our bodies. There are, however, two major differences:

  • It's easier to replace damaged parts on our cars.

  • We can trade our cars in for a newer model every few years. We have to live with our bodies forever!

Perhaps, after reading this, you feel it's time for a tune-up to get back on track. Start your engine, rev up your motor and begin caring for your body as carefully as you do your car!

Related Topics
Indulging Without Bulging
 

Educational Resources Available from Our Office

FREE Nutrition and Osteoporosis PowerPoint presentation
Nutrition educators can download a free copy of a PowerPoint presentation on "Nutrition and Osteoporosis."

Pyramid Power: The Food Guide Game
Pyramid Power has received awards from the American Dietetic Association and the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Use Pyramid Power to teach youth and adults how to eat healthy according to the Food Guide Pyramid.

Don't Get Bugged by a Foodborne Illness (game)
Use this game to help youth and adults understand and use recommended food safety practices. Don't Get Bugged received an award from the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences.

COOK IT QUICK! Online Tips and Recipes
Cook It Quick offers tips on "Mix and Match" Meals; Cook Once, Eat Twice; Time-Saving Kitchen Tools and much more! PLUS, access online thousands of recipes. Sign up in the yellow box to receive e-mail updates when new information is added.

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FOOD REFLECTIONS is a FREE monthly e-mail newsletter and is also archived on the Internet lancaster.unl.edu/food/archives.htm.  FOOD REFLECTIONS provides a "how-to" message on food, nutrition, or food safety for health professionals, educators, and consumers.

  • Author: FOOD REFLECTIONS is written by Alice Henneman, MS, RD, LMNT, Extension Educator and is archived on the Internet by Donna Weber, Extension Assistant.

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