youth health watch

Doritos by third period and a Snicker for lunch was my usual menu in high school. So it’s no surprise that in my 20’s, I’d rather choose Burger King over a salad and Kool-Aid over water. It just tastes better! However, it’s not the better option.

Cancer, heart disease, and high-blood pressure is not something that older people just “get.” These problems mostly “develop” over time when we don’t take care of our bodies. But we have to be healthy so we can be ready to fulfill the destiny that God created for all of our lives.

We only get one life, and that’s it. Yes, heaven is a far better place than earth. But why be in a rush to get there? I rather not eat the foods I love, or eat them in smaller portions so I can live longer and appreciate the gift of life that God has given me. It can be hard to give up cheeseburgers and steak, but consider your life to be a more valuable trade off.

We’re young now, but we won’t be always. I don’t want to turn 60 years old, be retired and full of life experiences and wisdom, but can’t enjoy life because 24-year-old Teresa ate too many Whoppers and refused to stop eating so much candy.

So pass up the corner store before heading to school sometimes. You can go without sneaking candy into classroom at least three days a week. And stay away from those small juices that contain 5 percent or no percent of fruit juices! Look closer at those food labels…you’ll be surprised at what your digesting, as well as what you’re not.

If you make wiser choices now, it’ll be easier to adapt to possible changes recommended by your doctor as you get older. You guys have a while before that’s even an issue in your life, but when you visit the doc, you want the best news possible. So don’t overindulge in your favorite meats and sweets now, because you may pay for them later.

Teresa Sewell