Students Take Charge No. 6
The students in my health class at Porterville College are grasping new concepts as they research, test themselves, listen to lectures and perform weekly health experiments on their own bodies. It’s all about learning new ways to take charge of your health. STUDENT: The experiment I did was to stop eating before I got full. I was a bit skeptical at first. I thought I would get hungry earlier or overeat again once I stopped this health experiment. I did my research and learned that as long as I had a balanced, nutritious meal, I wouldn’t have a problem conducting this experiment. The action I took was to portion healthy meals containing a good balance between meat and vegetables. I made sure I stopped eating before I was full. When I ate food that was NOT as healthy, like frozen waffles, and stopped eating before I was full, I did get hungry sooner. If my meal was something like scrambled eggs, I wouldn’t need to eat as soon. My results left me speechless. I constantly struggle with stomach aches, and this experiment definitely decreased it. Some days were more difficult than others depending on how I ate throughout the day, but usually I had a great outcome. I learned to control the portions that give the best results.
TEACHER: Controlling your tummy’s comfort is a benefit your body will enjoy for the rest of your life.
STUDENT: The experiment I did this week was to improve my antioxidant food intake by eating fresh berries and fruits. Because I don’t know how antioxidants help our health or are improved by eating berries and fruits, I searched the internet for information. Antioxidants protect our cells from free radical damage. They reduce the impact of aging on the skin, protect the eyes and vision and prevent chronic diseases, etc. The action I took was to go to Costco with my father and brother and buy kiwi, mango, grapes and red pomegranates. Kiwi is also rich in Vitamins E and C. These help accelerate the body’s toxin discharge, relieve skin aging and whiten skin. My results were very good. Eating fruits make me happy, more awake and able to continue doing homework. I found that all my life I‘ve been eating foods that contain antioxidants; honey, tomatoes, garlic, spinach and salmon. I am very satisfied with this health experience.
TEACHER: You did an excellent job of researching. You can also observe the action of antioxidants by cutting open an apple and seeing how long it stays fresh or how long it takes to turn brown. The higher the antioxidant level in the apple, the longer it will take to turn brown. Turning brown is the action of free radicals. Free Radical damage can be seen on metal too. Metal rusts when it’s exposed to water and air for a long time. Rust is oxidative, free radical damage. That’s why we paint our cars and spray corrosion inhibitor all over their bottoms. (Hume-of-the-day)! We don’t want our car turning into a “Rust Bucket” before we finish paying for it. Antioxidants paint our cells so they don’t rust either. If you happen to notice little brown spots on the back of Grandpa’s hands, start feeding him blueberries, mangoes, kiwis, pomegranates and grapes with seeds in them. Help Grandpa stay young.
STUDENT: The experiment I did this week was focused on being emotionally and mentally healthy. I wanted to maintain an attitude of gratitude. The action I took was finding positives in things that seemed bad initially. If I messed up on a test, I realized it was a learning experience. It would help me in the future, and I could help others learn it too. Another attitude I used to stay positive was finding something to look forward to every day. It may be talking to a friend, listening to music or even sleeping. My results ended up with me having a better mindset overall. I felt happier when I woke up in the mornings. I just felt excited that I had woken up to a new day. I feel like keeping this attitude in whatever I do. This way of thinking really impacts you in a good way and can likely impact the people around you. It may possibly encourage them to adopt this mindset into their lifestyle for future days, months, or years to come.
TEACHER: You’ve already impacted me. I’m looking for the positive in all that’s happening today. I’ll think deeply…
Until I can … TAKE CHARGE! … Sylvia