Good Nutrition – Essential To Maintain Good Health!

Owing to a popular trend in the western diet (junk foods, processed and fast foods), people of these days are lacking the daily nutritional requirements of the body.

With nutritional deficiency, they are becoming more susceptible to chronic illnesses and diseases.

So, it is very important for all of us to adopt a healthy lifestyle in order to lead a healthy and long life. A healthier lifestyle should be followed with a good nutrition and regular physical workouts.Good Nutrition

Leading a healthier lifestyle is nothing but ensuring that you maintain good nutrition and physical workouts regimen actively in every day of your life. So, good nutrition is all about eating right foods that are good and healthy for the body.

A good nutrition is the one with wide varieties of nutrients: macro nutrients and micro nutrients. Macronutrients are the nutrients that are required in large quantities. Proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and water are the six macronutrients that are essential for proper body functioning.

Protein:

The most essential nutrient that helps build, repair and maintain body muscles and other tissues. It also standardizes body processes and is used as an energy source for the body.

Protein is available more in animal foods such as poultry, meat, fish, eggs, and milk. It is also more in plant sources: peas, nuts, beans, rice, and cereals.

Carbohydrates:

They are the major sources of energy for the body. Using carbohydrates, the body builds glucose which can be used as fuel for your muscles, tissues, cells, and all organs.

Excess glucose, however, is stored as fat for later use. Carbohydrates are of two types: simple and complex. Sugars are simple carbohydrates whereas starches and fibers are complex carbohydrates.

Fruits and milk products contain simple carbohydrates. Rice, cereals, whole grain breads and starchy vegetables are rich-in complex carbohydrates.

Fat:

Fat is another essential nutrient for the body. It is a primary source of calories. It helps provide structure to body cells, carry some vitamins, and building blocks for hormones.

Fat can be any of the two forms: saturated fat and unsaturated fat. Saturated fats can keep you at risk of developing health problems whereas unsaturated fat is healthy.

Animal fats such as butter, meat fat are highly saturated and can lead to heart disease and cancer. Vegetable fats such as olive oil, corn oil, and canola oil are unsaturated and are less harmful to the health.

Vitamins:

These are the essential nutrients that help in the growth and development of the body. It also helps regulate metabolic activities in the body. The vitamins are of two types: Fat soluble vitamins and water soluble vitamins.

Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins. These vitamins will dissolve and absorb with the help of fats that are in the diet. These are stored in the body for long periods, mostly in the fatty tissues and liver.

Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin C are water-soluble vitamins. These are not stored in the body for long time.

You can get these vitamins from all fruits and vegetables.

Minerals:

Minerals are the nutrients that help build bones, generate hormones, and regulate heart beat. Minerals are of two types: macrominerals and trace minerals. Macrominerals are the minerals required in large quantities. Calcium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, chloride and sulfur are macrominerals.

Trace minerals are the minerals that are required in little quantities. Iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride and selenium are trace minerals. Almost all foods contain minerals. So, it is good to eat a wide variety of foods.

Water:

Water is essential for proper cell functioning. It takes active role in several chemical reactions and also to carry the nutrients, to standardize body temperature and eliminates wastes away from the body.

By understanding and following good nutrition, it is possible to maintain good health and remain healthy all the time.