Nutrition-related diseases are currently the leading cause of death in the United States of America. (TEDtalks) We can make a change to help decrease these numbers, the change starts with your personal health. By decreasing the amount of processed foods you consume and increasing the amount of fresh produce you eat and the amount of exercise you are actively improving the quality of your physical health. You can help others by encouraging them to do the same. Even though you may seem indestructible at this point in your life, it is imperative to take care of your body now, so that it remains in good condition even as you age. What we eat now impacts our future, which is why it's essential to make sure you meet your nutritional and physical activity requirements. Munching on healthy foods such as lean meats, nuts, whole grains and fresh produce has numerous benefits. Healthy eating not only provides vital nutrients but also helps balance the body. Eating well can provide more energy, help relieve stress, improve hair, skin and nails, as well as improve overall physical, emotional, internal and external health (WebMD and interview with Ms. Otto). A healthy diet can also help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, various types of cancer, kidney stones, and bone loss. Consuming fresh fruits and vegetables can also lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol. (WebMD and choosemyplate.gov) Choosemyplate.gov recommends one and a half to two cups of fruit and two and a half to three cups of vegetables each day for adolescents ages 14 to 18. Exercise is also known to improve fitness and health. . By exercising frequently a person gets many benefits, including maintaining a healthy weight, getting more sleep each… middle of paper… “Sugar Love (a Not so Sweet Story).” National Geographic Sugar, Why We Can't Resist, August 2013: 78-97. National geographic. Network. 23 October 2013. MagazineOtto, Tina. “Nutrition and Exercise Awareness Project Interview.” Personal interview. November 16, 2013. President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. “Be active, eat well.” Fitness. President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, n.d. Web. October 23, 2013. . TEDtalks website: Chew This: Teach Every Child About Food. Directed by Jamie Oliver. Perf. Jamie Oliver. TEDtalks, 2010. Netflix.USDA. "ChooseMyPlate.gov." Choose MyPlate.gov. USDA and Web. October 23, 2013. . WebMD website. “Healthy Eating: Benefits of a Healthier Diet.” WebMD. WebMD, 19 July 2011. Web. 03 December. 2013. .