Nutrition is the biological and metabolic process by which an animal uses food to sustain its existence. It entails absorption, assimilation, metabolism, biosynthesis and excretion. Nutrition is used by the body to maintain its health and to keep it functioning well. The food that you eat can affect your nutrition. Hence, it is very important to learn about nutrition facts to help you stay healthy and fit. Knowing the nutritional facts can keep you from consuming food items that can jeopardize your health.
There are several categories of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fiber, and fat. The right types of nutrition ensure proper growth and development of children, maintain the health of an elderly person, and provide the right amounts of nutrients in a balanced diet for a person of all ages. Proper diet and nutrition play a vital role in maintaining your weight, decreasing your risk of heart diseases, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases, and boosting your energy.
Nutrient sources include fruits and vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, oil and fats, and drinking water. The foods that you eat should be rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fat. To get the best diet and nutrition, a registered dietitian can provide you with the best food combinations based on your age, gender, physical activity level, height, and other factors. A registered dietitian is also well-aware of the foods that should be avoided because they may either have no nutritional value or lead to serious health problems.
Eating healthy requires you to eat a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients your body needs. Nutritional balance ensures your body functions properly and efficiently. Nutrient-dense foods contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Fruits and vegetables are the most nutrient-dense food choices. These foods are good sources of fiber, iron, Vitamins C and D, and other minerals that contribute to healthy bones, muscles, tissues, organs, and blood circulation. Aside from fruits, vegetables are also good sources of other essential nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins that are essential for building blocks of nutrition.
Another way to get the proper nutrition is by taking dietary supplements. Dietary supplements are available in different forms. Herbal dietary supplements, however, are considered the best choice because these substances contain all the necessary substances to keep you healthy and fit. Good dietary supplements are usually combined with a healthy and well-balanced diet. Other dietary supplements are capsules, tablets, or liquids. Liquid dietary supplements are more convenient to take than pills because you can consume them easily by drinking pureed fruits or vegetable juice.
In addition to eating healthy, exercising and staying physically active are also key factors in keeping your body healthy and fit. Regular exercise not only burns fat but it also helps you maintain a normal blood circulation. You should do exercises that would focus on your abdominal area, chest, arms, legs, and back. Eating right on the other hand would include consuming small amounts of dairy foods, seafood, poultry, lean meat, and small amounts of nuts and seeds.
Other sources of nutrition are oils, fats, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Oils are a good source of omega 3 fatty acids that provide health benefits such as reducing cardiovascular diseases and increasing brain functions. Fatty and fried foods increase bad cholesterol levels, while processed food and sugar increase bad appetite and cravings. On the other hand, grain foods are rich in proteins that keep your body energized.
The main source of micronutrients in a balanced diet is fruits and vegetables. They are packed with nutrients that your body needs. They contain tons of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. When consuming fruits and vegetables, remember to always choose the ones with the highest amount of water content. This will ensure that you have enough amounts of minerals, vitamins, and fiber within your system.
Other micronutrients that are important to take include calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc. These sources of micronutrients to ensure that you get proper amounts of these main nutrients for proper functioning of your body. Other lesser known sources of micronutrients are fish oils, coffee, alcohol, and tobacco.
Eating healthy fats like those found in avocado, sunflower, olive oil, olives, sesame seeds, and safflower oils are great sources of essential fats. Eating foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fats, or those that contain fatty acids in their molecule size are great dietary sources of unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fats are very important to your body as they help decrease cholesterol levels and keep you heart healthy. There are many kinds of saturated fats that you can eat and all of them are important. The bad thing about saturated fats is that they increase cholesterol levels and thus you should avoid eating them.
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