How important is keeping healthy to you? A group of young people got together to discuss this question. Here’s part of their discussion.
Peter: I’d like to stay healthy, but to be honest, I only eat food that tastes good. And if food tastes good, it’s usually bad for you, isn’t it? Cola tastes better than water, for example.
TONY: Well, food that is bad for you can taste good! But I prefer not to eat too much food that is fried, like, er, French fries. Do you eat fast food, Laura?
Laura: Do I eat fast food? Never! I love to eat food that is healthy. I want to take care of my health, so I eat mainly fruit and vegetables. Oh! And I stay away from sugar, you do too, don’t you?
TONY: Hm, yes. And I think most people are in agreement that fruit and vegetables are good for health. But, um, I would say that fast food itself isn’t always bad for you, but too much of it is not good.
Laura: Actually, don’t you know that it’s been found in laboratory testing (that some types of oil are really bad for us?) So I don’t eat anything that’s been cooked in oil. Also, did you know that some foods might cause cancer? Like burnt barbecued meat. I’ve heard eating burnt food like this can increase the risk of cancer.
Peter: Really! But I love to eat meat that’s well cooked, even if it is a little burnt. It’s delicious, and meat isn’t really dangerous, is it?
Laura: Oh! Yes, it is! I never eat meat. It’s not at all good for our health. If I were you, I’d eat nuts instead.
TONY: Well, I agree it’s good to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, but I think it’s also fine to eat some meat or fish. People (who eat a balanced diet) should be healthier than those (who only eat biscuits and hamburgers,) shouldn’t they? I prefer to only eat food that I like, but isn’t it important to eat food that’s healthy, even if you don’t like it? The main thing is to have a good balance.