Nutrition is the biological and physiological process through which an organism uses food to support it for life. It entails absorption, assimilation, metabolism, biosynthesis, and excretion as important steps in the process of nutrition. The metabolic processes involve the breakdown of food materials to energy useful to the living organisms. These processes are also responsible for the absorption of essential nutrients that are required for the proper growth and development of organisms.
It is a must to know the different nutrients and their importance in supporting a healthy eating pattern. Most of us are aware about the concept of nutrition, but not all of us know nutrition terms. Knowing the difference between the terms would be a big help in implementing the right nutrition program for our body. Below are the seven common nutrition terms.
Carbohydrates or simple sugars are the major source of energy for the body and it consists of glucose, fructose, galactose and several other simple sugars. Carbohydrates provide the energy we require through our daily food intake. Carbohydrates are divided into two major categories sugar and vitamins. The vitamins are necessary for the assimilation of nutrients in our body, while the sugar is utilized as energy. The major nutrition terms for this food category are also broken down as follows:
Fruits and vegetables are the main sources of vitamins and minerals in a balanced diet. These food groups provide the important vitamins and minerals that are important to a healthy living. The nutritional values of fruits and vegetables can be found out by using various methods. The nutritional value of each food group is determined by the balance of nutrients present in them and the concentration of nutrients needed by the body.
The most common of nutrition terms is carbohydrate, which is made up of complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates supply energy to the body and they are stored in the muscles. Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as rice, pasta and bread. You will find nutrition information for each and every nutrient needed by the body. You will also find out about the importance of a balanced diet that provides all the nutrients and the corresponding vitamins.
The second most common term is fat, which makes up a big percentage of the total calories you eat. You will find the nutrition facts for each type of fat you eat provide energy to the body and the corresponding nutrients necessary by the body. Nutrition information on fat helps you understand which fat foods you should avoid to stay healthy. You will also find out how many calories you need per day to maintain a normal body weight.
Milk, butter, cheese, yoghurt, eggs, fish, sardines, lentils, peas, beans, nuts, seeds, palm nuts, sunflower seeds, vegetables and fruits comprise a list of some of the most important natural food sources. Consuming adequate amounts of these natural food sources is essential to get all the nutrients and vitamins required by the body. Meats, fish and milk are rich in protein and iron, while vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins A, E and K.
Nuts, grains, beans, cereals and pasta are considered complex carbohydrates. These food items provide energy and they can also be converted into glucose, the best source of energy. They should be consumed in moderation to control blood sugar levels. Whole grain bread, rice and pasta are considering complete and balanced diets.
The best source of micronutrients is vegetables. Although animal foods provide some micronutrients, they are not a complete source of the necessary vitamins and minerals. Meat, fish and milk are rich in protein, iron and vitamins, but they lack micronutrients like Vitamin B-12 and folic acid. The best options for animal foods include poultry, eggs, goat’s milk, cheese, red meat, sardines, salmon, tofu and soy products. Fruit is another good option, but only in limited quantities.
The best diet supplements contain a complete mixture of the main nutrients, amino acids, fatty acids, minerals vitamins and phytochemicals that work together to keep your entire body functioning properly. The best supplements combine the B-complex vitamins, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, cholesterol, fiber and carbohydrates to deliver the widest range of micronutrients that you need to keep your body healthy. For those who are lactose intolerant, blood sugar supplements can be used as a substitute for regular milk.
There are two main types of supplements. One type contains larger amounts of one particular nutrient, while another type contains larger amounts of different nutrients. For example, there are studies that show that whole grains are much better for your health than do refined carbohydrates, and the evidence suggests that fibre makes you feel fuller faster and holds more nutrients than do refined carbohydrates. These are just a few examples of how the right kinds of nutrition can help keep you from feeling hungry throughout the day.
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