Question

mason wants to modify his diet to lower his risk of developing chronic diseases. what can he do to reduce this risk? check all that apply

eat more foods that contain added sugars.
consume foods with trans and saturated fats.
swap out unsalted foods for salted options.
become familiar with recommended caloric guidelines.
set a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Explanation:

• Become familiar with recommended caloric guidelines: Maintaining a balanced calorie intake helps in weight management. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes. By knowing and following caloric guidelines, Mason can avoid over - or under - eating.
• Set a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins (e.g., vitamin C, vitamin A), minerals (e.g., potassium), and fiber. They are low in calories (in general) and have antioxidants. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress in the body, which is linked to chronic diseases. Fiber helps in digestion and can lower cholesterol levels (a risk factor for heart disease).

• Eat more foods that contain added sugars: Added sugars contribute to weight gain (as they are high in calories) and can lead to insulin resistance (a precursor to type 2 diabetes). So, this is not a good choice.
• Consume foods with trans and saturated fats: Trans fats are known to increase bad cholesterol (LDL) and decrease good cholesterol (HDL). Saturated fats also raise LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.
• Swap out unsalted foods for salted options: High salt intake can lead to high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Answer:

• Become familiar with recommended caloric guidelines.
• Set a goal to eat more fruits and vegetables.