The basic purpose of food is to provide nutrients to the body so that it can function. Certain nutrients are necessary to combine with oxygen to create energy for physical activity and for all internal functions, including repairing and building cell tissue. But food and nutrition don't always go "hand in hand." And without nutrition, the body can't function its best. Health and energy ultimately suffer.Definition of NutritionNutrition simply means something that nourishes. To nourish means "to feed or sustain with substances necessary to life and growth." Not everything that is called "food" contains nourishment! And just because a product has a nutrition facts label, that is no guarantee that there's any nutrition in it. That's why "junk food" is called "junk" - because it has a lot of calories but no real nourishment - no nutritional value! Nutrition: Macronutrients and MicronutrientsThe nutrients that the body needs for energy and to provide the building material for cells, tissues, muscles, bones, hormones, etc. etc. (all physical structure and bodily processes) are broken into two categories: Macronutrients and micronutrients.Macronutrients are called "macro" (meaning "large") because they form the largest percentage of the nutrients the body needs to function. The macronutrients are:
Carbohydrate
Fats (also called lipids)
Protein and
Water
Micronutrients are called "micro" (meaning "small") because they are needed by the body in very small quantities. The micronutrients are:
Vitamins
Minerals
The body needs all of these nutrients in balanced quantities to achieve good physical health and to operate at its best.Food and nutritionBefore the advent of convenience and fast foods, food and nutrition wasn't an issue. Food WAS nutritious! Interesting how there are now epidemics of diabetes, obesity and many other health problems since the nutritional quality of our food supply has deteriorated. Food processing to the degree that is found in fast foods and convenience foods not only robs food of most of its nutritional value, but the pesticides, preservatives and additives that can be found in processed food is toxic to the body. Food, nutrition and healthLearning the basic facts about the nutrition (or not) in food and how it contributes to health (or doesn't) is probably the smartest thing someone could do to improve their health and energy. Believe me, there are truckloads of false data and myths about food and nutrition that keep people from enjoying better health and vitality.Food manufacturers with their slick marketing and advertising make matters worse! It appeals to our taste buds and emotions, but processed food eaten on a regular basis, as most Americans do at this point in time, takes a serious toll on health and energy.The person who said "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" was not kidding!
Food Nutrition And Health
'Super Foods' are a classification of certain types of whole foods (minimally processed whenever possible) that are believed, and have been shown, to be good for you. If you begin to make a conscious effort to include more of these super foods into your weekly diet, and commit to understanding why they are good for your body, then you will be living a healthier life inside your body.
Of Course, you should know fresh and raw is best but, whether canned, frozen, or minimally processed, it is far better to eat them this way than not to eat them at all. Eating these health enriching 'super foods' will help you look and feel your best, and younger. They will, also, help you lose excess weight and maintain it, reduce your risks of life long diseases, give you longer lasting energy, and a feeling of full satiation after eating them. So let's get started on some of the best super foods you need to be eating to reach your healthy body goals.
What plant super plant food is good for helping to soften your skin? Pomegranates.
Pomegranates are loaded with an antioxidant vitamin, vitamin C. Plus, the juice from the seeds contain ellagic acid and punicalagin. The first substance fights free radical damage; the second substance may increase your body's ability to preserve collagen. Collagen helps keep skin looking moist, young, and soft.
What super plant food helps smooth fine lines in the skin? Blueberries.
Blueberries have become notoriously known for their antioxidant power. They have more antioxidants than almost any other plant food. Blueberries help protect your skin, and acts as a natural sunscreen to protect skin against sunburning, strengthens overall brain functioning, and helps you fight emotional stress.
What super plant foods help firm skin, giving it more elasticity? Kale and spinach.
These two veggies, and many others, have high levels of the antioxidant vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. and other compounds known as phytonutrients. These natural plant food substances help guard against sunburning the skin, strengthen heart (cardiovascular) health, and helps protect you from developing cancer.
What cold water fish sources, also known as super foods, helps keep skin, hair, and joints healthy and properly lubricated? Sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and other small ocean fish species.
Do not care for the taste of fish? Well, you can still get your omega-3s in smaller amounts in flaxseed, walnuts, almonds, grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs. Omega-3 fats are great for sharp mental functioning, reduces risk of developing heart disease, cancer, and lowers the risk of developing behavior and mood disorders (depression).
What super plant food helps control brown age spots on the skin? Green, black, and white teas.
These healthy brews contain a substance called catechins. This phytonutrient helps prevent skin damaging sunburns. Another substance found in green, black, and white tea leaves is another phytonutrient known as polyphenols. This nutrient chemical may possibly help to reverse, or prevent, brown age spots on the skin.
Both of these phytochemicals have also shown to help protect us against heart disease, cancer, and stroke.
Tea contains half the amount of caffeine than coffee. Black tea, in particular, has been shown to improve oral mouth health. Teas can be drank either hot or iced, and can be used as a flavoring agent in marinades and other dishes.
What healthy fat oils help maintain a rosy skin glow? Olive oil, coconut oil, and lean animal saturated fats such as grass-fed beef and free range poultry meats and eggs.
Olive oil is mostly a monunsaturated fat. It also contains a small amount of polyunsaturated fat, so do not over use it. Extra virgin olive oil has a higher level of the antioxidant vitamin, vitamin E. Olive oil also activates the secretion of bile in the gallbladder, and regulates pancreatic hormones better, and more naturally, than prescription drugs. Consequently, it also lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.
Coconut oil increases energy levels by boosting your metabolism. It is mostly a saturated fat food source (60%), to a lesser degree, it has a small amount of monounsaturated fat oil, and a trace amount of polyunsaturated fat.
I would suggest cooking with both of these healthy fats, alternating their use in specific dish recipes, for example; coconut oil for stir frying and frying meats and vegetables, olive oil for salad dressings and meat marinades.
Lean sources of poultry and animal fats come from mostly grass fed, free range livestock. As mentioned earlier, these healthy proteins and fat food sources are higher in omega-3s than conventionally, mostly grain fed, meat sources. Omega-3s improve blood circulation, leaving skin with a rosy, supple look and feel.
What dietary fluid substance helps to better distribute all of these healthy food nutrients to where they are needed throughout your body? Why it is water, of course.
No other fluid solvent does this more efficiently than pure water. Water will, also, carry away toxic body wastes, hydrate all body cells, and consistently lower and maintain a more desired body weight, naturally.
Would I kid you here?
No, I absolutely would not. After all, this is a chosen area of serious passion for me. This strategy does work, and I might add, eating more as nature had intended for us to eat has brought me out of a state of ill health, to enjoy a much healthier body and lifestyle today!
You can do it this way too, and be most successful at eliminating, or easing, many different health challenges that you are currently, and frustratingly, tolerating at the moment. At the very least, it should make you feel better knowing that you are actively trying to do something to improve your dismal situation.
Both B.b. Martin & Brenda Skidmore are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
B.b. Martin has sinced written about articles on various topics from Supplements, Stress Management. B. B. Martin is passionate about health education. Her research and writing on the subject began with her own personal need for useful information on improving health.Further information on food, nutrition and health:. B.b. Martin's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Brenda Skidmore has sinced written about articles on various topics from Nutrition, Infections and Health. Brenda Skidmore has spent the last four plus years actively researching natural health care alternatives. It is her sincere desire to empower others by sharing this important information. To improve your health today visit. Brenda Skidmore's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.
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