Staying healthy is all about eating right. If you have a diet that is full of vitamins and minerals you feel healthy and energized. Unfortunately with the convenience of junk and fast food many people are not receiving the vital nutrients they need from their diet. There is a direct correlation between what you eat and how you feel and understanding it can lead to making better more informed choices.
Food is essential; your body needs nutrients to do everything. It can help one concentrate and provide energy to move your muscles. A person’s body cannot function properly without receiving the vital nutrients found in healthy food choices. In order to ensure one is receiving the proper nutrients to stay and feel healthy is to eat a wide variety of foods full of vitamins, proteins and other nutrients. Proper nutrition can optimize one’s health and decrease risk of disease or illness. There are 6 major nutrients that your body needs to function at its best capacity. These nutrients are carbohydrates, water, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. A diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lower in saturated fats can protect the body from high blood pressure and even heart disease. A diet that is higher in saturated fats and trans fats can actually be a cause of high blood pressure and heart disease. Diets that have deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can have a very negative effect on your health. The most common lack of nutrients in the United States is iron deficiency. Iron is essential in maintaining healthy blood cells and is especially important in infants, children, teens and menstruating women. Calcium is also very important as it is necessary to keep bones strong. Without the proper amount of calcium in a person's diet they are at an increased risk to develop weak and brittle bones. Staying hydrated by drinking enough water is also very important in one’s diet as it helps flush out toxins and increase metabolism. Processed foods are usually stripped of their nutritional value and that is why fresh food like fruits and vegetables are necessary in maintaining your health. Many people also use vitamins and supplements in order to increase the nutrients needed that may not be present within their current diet. Eating a well-rounded diet that incorporates all of the necessary food groups will ensure that your body has all of the nutrients it needs.
