Nutrition is providing our body with the food.The food contains nutrients which is essential for health and growth of our body.
But most of us today eat low nutrients and high calorie dense food just to fill our stomach and satisfy our taste buds which results in several health complications.
Today from scientific evidence its shown that upto 85% of our body shape and health is determined by our nutrition and upto 15% by the exercise we perform. So its important that we know some of the basics of nutrition to promote our body health and fitness.
Nutrients from foods are categorized into two major groups:
Macro Nutrients
Micro Nutrients
Macro Nutrients are needed in large quantities whereas Micro Nutrients are needed in small traces by our body.
Macro Nutrients includes Carbohydratres, Proteins and Fats whereas Micro Nutrients includes Vitamins and Minerals.
Carbohydrates: It is used to provide our body with energy to perform various activities. There are further two major types of carbohydrates which includes simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple and complex carbohydrates effects our insulin sensitivity and glycemic variability.
Some sources of carbohydrates a sugar, cereals and grains.
Proteins: It is composed of amino acids which are the building blocks of our body. Today we usually categorize proteins into plant based and animal based.
Some source of proteins are dairy,meat and pulses.
Fats: It is used to provide energy when carbohydrate source is depleted in our body.It is primarily composed of chains of fatty acids. It is categorize into short chain, medium chain and long chain fatty acids.
Some sources of fats are oils,nuts and avocados.
Vitamins and minerals both are essential for growth and functioning of our body.
There are 13 Vitamins—vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).
There are 16 essential minerals: calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, and selenium, molybdenum, chromium, and fluoride.
All the nutrients are key in the proper functioning and growth of our body. A basic idea of nutrition gives us a platform unto which we can further study, gain the knowldge and apply it into practice to reap the benefit and stay healthy and fit.
