Why is Nutrition Important?
Why is nutrition important? Do you ever stop and think why you eat? Because your stomach is rumbling?
• Because I am hungry.
• I am bored.
• Maybe I am sad or maybe I am happy.
• I am tired and need the energy.
It is not only a matter of eating … it is ‘eating very well’ to prevent common colds or chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, to have the long lasting energy, to get your brain working better, to have a nicer skin, to lose weight or maintain your ideal weight, to look better and to even feel better emotionally.
Unhealthy eating and sedentary lifestyle that lead to diseases are actually the main causes of death in the United States. So you know the answer to ‘Why is nutrition important?’.
• Protein is used to build and repair the various parts of the body. Protein in your muscles needs to be replenished through your diet.
• Carbohydrates give you energy: complex carbs as slow release and longer lasting, simple carbs as quick energy source.
• Fats are also a source of energy, they help to absorb vitamins, nerve transmission and contain essential fatty acids.
How to Eat Well?
Healthy eating means eating different types of healthy foods every day, but everything in moderation like anything in life and there are certain rules to stick to:
• Cut down on saturated fats, avoid fried foods, butter , cream , full fat mayo. Cook with very little oil – olive oil or sunflower oil.
• Eat lots of fibre. This is essential for a good digestive system and to maintain your ideal weight but also to prevent heart complications and bowel cancer.
• Follow a low sugar diet. Sugar easily turns into fat if not burnt by exercise and contributes to weight gain. It is bad for your teeth if you don’t rinse your mouth straight after. It is not the sugar itself but the not so friendly bacteria that sticks to sugar, and this leads to tooth decay.
• Drink lots of water. Teas and juices count towards your daily fluid intake but coffee and alcohol don’t!
• Eat small meals throughout the day when you feel hungry, rather than big breakfast, lunch and dinner. It is not good to feel the hunger and it is certainly not good being bloated, it is a good sign you are starting to put on weight. Don’t forget: everything in moderation!
• Avoid salt, try and buy salt reduced or no-added-salt foods. Salt also masks the taste of food, you will notice this after a couple of weeks of eating low salt foods. Try sea salt or kelp in powder form as they offer certain health benefits, but still do not exceed the recommended sodium intake of 2300-2400mg in a day. Or check out one of these salt alternatives you may like.
• Try some organic milk, fruits and vegetables. Organic Food is not only tastier but also more nutritious than ordinary produce with up to 50% more antioxidants- phytonutrients, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Organic foods are not cheap, but you can still go on organic diet without breaking the budget.
• Do you remember what being healthy feels like? Or are you just surviving with toxins clogging up your life and ruining your health. An effective detox program can rejuvenate your diet and your life, for a healthier body, mind and home.
Counting Calories to Lose Weight
Subconscious Mind and Weight Loss
Benefits of Genetically Engineered Foods
Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods
Nutrition for HIV is critical for positive people as they tend to burn, on average, 10% more calories than negative adults with their immune systems working harder to fight the disease, which is usually in the form of burning lean muscle mass- although their weight stays the same they may still be losing muscles.
Australian Guide to Healthy Eating
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