Significant Role of Nutrition in health
Proper and good nutrition is the underlying factor for living and sustaining a healthier lifestyle. Nutrients are essential to the body and are the reasons for driving biological activity. The nutrients provided by the foods affect physical growth, operational capabilities, development and overall health.
3 Major types of nutrition
Nutrients are broadly categorized into two types: Macro-nutrients and the Micro-nutrients. Carbohydrate, Fat and Protein are the three types of macro-nutrients, whereas minerals and vitamins are two micro-nutrient types. These nutrients are responsible for performing below vital functions in the body;
1. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide quick energy to cells through the formation of monosaccharides. Such as monosaccharide of sugar or glucose.
2. Proteins
Proteins are responsible for building tissues and gives body structure through the formation of small monomers called amino acids. Excellent resources for proteins are chicken, fish and eggs.
3. Fats
Fats or lipids stores energy in the body and thereby helps in cushioning organs, protecting cells and transmitting hormonal signals around the body. Oil and butter are rich in fats.
How can we improve nutritional health?
Eating nutritious food is not tough. The five fundamentals of improving nutritional health are:
1. Drink water in abundance.
2. Include fibre rich whole grain cereals, one to two ounce of nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits in a daily diet plan.
3. Take fishes such as salmon, tilapia or catfish at least three to four times a week.
4. Avoid including foods that contain saturated and or trans fats, including white foods such as white bread, rice, pasta and creamy sausages.
5. Go slow on high fructose syrup, alcohol and other high-calorie sugary foods.
Role of nutrition in health and disease
Nutrition has a significant impact on health and wellness. Adequate intake of nutrition, well-balanced diet and physical workout is the mainstay for achieving perfect health.
On the contrary, lack of proper nutrition results in reduced immunity, risk of exposing to diseases, undermined mental and physical growth, and low productivity. Improper nutritional habit may lead to chronic diseases such as Type-2 diabetes, heart and lung disease. These can be prevented, delayed and manage through proper dietary eating practices.
Improving Nutritional Health
Maintaining a balanced diet is key to a healthy life. Following checklists can help to improve your health:
1. Assess your diet by noting down what you drink and eat every day. This results in an increase or decrease of particular food down the line.
2. Check the current fruits and vegetable intake. A 4 to 5 cups of vegetables and fruits are needed daily.
3. Check for whole grain, calcium and other rich fibre foods are included in the diet.
4. Seek a dietitian or nutritionist help for particular diet plan for any health issues or other health risk factors.