Nutrition is the biological and physical process through which an organism utilizes food to support its normal life. It involves absorption, digestion, assimilation, metabolism and excretion as well as the transfer of nutrients to different parts of the body. There are seven metabolic processes involved in nutrition such as absorption, transport, metabolism, storage and use of energy, utilization and waste disposal. Nutrition is important for all of our bodies and helps us maintain a healthy weight.
Amino acids, polysaccharides make up the building blocks of nutrition. Carbohydrates or sugar are the basic building blocks of carbohydrates. Proteins are the basic building blocks of proteins. Fruits and vegetables are rich in good fiber and this makes them excellent dietary sources of nutrition. A diet including fruits and vegetables greatly contributes to our health because the fiber content in them keeps our colon clean, improving our bowel movement and decreasing the amount of toxins that accumulate in our bodies.
20 Based on a research session 2, a nutritionist presented her findings in a talk entitled “Food Choices That Are Healthful and Nutritious.” She mentioned that there are five groups of nutrients: Iron, Zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Calcium. According to her, a good diet should consist of at least two servings of grains per day, one serving of vegetables per day and one serving of meat, fish, egg and poultry products. There should also be some intake of dairy and other food choices rich in fat and protein.
Nutritionist recommend having a varied amount of carbohydrate, protein and fat in your daily meals. In fact, you should consume several carbohydrates and fats each day, along with at least four to six servings of grain. Eggs are considered the best source of protein, however, if you do not have time to cook or are not able to find them in your local grocery store, you can use tofu instead. To complete your nutrition plan, it is important to eat a variety of grain, vegetable and food choices rich in calcium, iron, zinc and other minerals and nutrients.
The process of food digestion involves breaking down the substances provided by the food we eat. Food substances can either provide energy to our body tissues or they can provide substances which build up our cells and make them grow. It is said that almost everything we eat provides some nutrition. Water, for example, is the most important nutrient which our body needs to survive. Water also acts as a solvent and removes harmful substances from our body.
The second category of nutrition is minerals. These include the elements required to build our body tissues. Magnesium, calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iodine are minerals which play important roles in human nutrition. Some of the elements in minerals are water, sodium, sulfur, iron, iodine, silicon, boron, zinc and manganese. Vitamins are substances which provide us with the necessary energy to perform functions and also regulate the body’s functions. Vitamins include A, C, E and B-complex vitamins.
Eating a balanced diet full of nutrients is an essential part of our daily nutrition. The balanced diet must contain the right proportion of essential nutrients and all the necessary vitamins and minerals. If you are not getting the proper nutrition, it may lead to a disease or even a death if you do not pay attention to your nutrition. Many diseases can be avoided if you pay attention to your body’s needs.
Vegetable and fruit are the major source of carbohydrates. You should try to eat a wide variety of carbohydrates such as whole grain foods building blocks. The fruits are a good source of carbohydrates but they need to be consumed in moderation. Fruits that are high in sugar can give you energy, but too much sugar consumption can be harmful to your health.
Plants such as cereals, beans, and whole grains make up about seventy percent of the human nutrition. Legumes, peas, beans, and corn are some of the legumes. The leaves and stems of plants such as broccoli, spinach, and lettuce are rich in iron. They can be used for cooking as well. The vegetable family is also rich in plant nutrition such as potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, and yams.
Whole grains like brown rice and whole wheat flour are good sources of carbohydrate. They can be used for baking and for regular meals. The plant growth is the richest source of vitamin E. Vitamin E protects against damage caused by free radicals. The plant nutrition also includes fat from animal source such as butter and coconut oil. Plant food is one of the best sources of fiber and these include oat bran, psyllium, and barley.
The fats in animal products like red meat, butter, and cream provide essential fatty acids, some of which are not required by the body. Other fats are not bad for health. Unsaturated fats are the best, except for omega 3 fats that are bad for health. Polyunsaturated fats can be considered good fats since they help to build cell membranes. Monounsaturated fat is a type of saturated fat that is not harmful. Saturated fats are considered bad for health, although some essential fats are actually good for health if they are consumed in moderation.
Plant foods provide all the nutrients necessary for human development. These include carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Most of us get all the nutrients through fruits, vegetables, and other foods that we eat on a daily basis. A balanced diet is the best option for ensuring proper health.
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