How Much Food and Exercise Do We Really Need? How much food do we need each day? How much exercise is enough? On both counts, the answer is…it depends. Food needs are based on an individual’s size, gender, and level of physical activity. We all need a variety of nutrients every day, but the amount of food needed will vary from person to person. The amount of exercise we need also varies. If you go to the website www.MyPyramid.gov, you will find information about how much food and exercise an individual needs each day. Adults who are at their recommended weight may need 30 minutes of physical activity each day. But, for weight loss, up to 90 minutes may be Individuals who are more active need more food than those who are less active. How much food and what kind of food you eat will depend on your individual needs. At the MyPyramid website, you can type in your name, age, gender, height, weight, and physical activity level to find out how much of each food group you should consume every day. Individuals who are physically active may need to drink more fluids to replace what they lose in sweat. University of Illinois nutritionists recommend drinking cool water before, during, and after exercise. If you have a teen athlete in your family, visit the U of I Extension Sports and Nutrition website for practical advice on eating for better sports performance. Summer Learning is Just a Click Away National Geographic Kids Families can use educational websites to learn something new each week. Your new knowledge may trigger other opportunities to explore and experience together. Of course, parents need to monitor their children’s computer use to make sure they are using the technology safely. A family that learns together grows together. Make fun learning a summer tradition. Your children will sense your value for education and family time. |
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