Are you getting your nutrients from fresh food? Do you eat three square meals daily?
Eating right is very difficult and many of us are not eating well enough to get the right amount of nutrients from our diet. Aging is also a factor because, as we get older our ability to absorb nutrients from food decreases. Fresh food is loaded with nutrients necessary for good health. Fresh foods provide nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A and C as well as hundreds of minerals, and antioxidants.
Nutrients:
A nutrient is a substance that provides structural or functional components or energy to the body. There are six essential nutrients that must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot make it in sufficient quantity to meet its needs. These nutrients, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and water, are necessary for the body to function properly and protect against diseases and illnesses.
What we should be eating:
- A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Fish
- Lean meats and poultry, and
- low-fat dairy products
Ten nutrition facts that everyone agrees on:
- Added sugar is a disaster. Sugar provides empty calories and is believed to be a leading cause of diseases that kill millions of people each year.
- Omega-3 fats are crucial and most people don’t get enough. Avoiding a deficiency in these essential fatty acids can help prevent many diseases.
- There is no perfect diet for everyone. The best diet for YOU is the one that meet your body’s requirement and one that you can stick to long term.
- Avoid artificial trans fats. These are chemically processed fats that cause damage in the body.
- Eating vegetables will improve your health. Vegetables are rich in multiple nutrients and are associated with improved health and a lower risk of disease.
- It is critical to avoid a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is a unique vitamin and it is extremely difficult to get enough from your diet. Vitamin D is a crucial hormone in the body and many people are deficient in it.
- Refined carbohydrates are bad for you. When grains are processed the nutrients are removed leaving a massive amount of easily digestible glucose.
- Supplements can never fully replace real foods. No amount of supplements will ever make up for a bad diet. The goal is always to improve your diet before turning to supplements. Supplements are intended to plug dietary gaps.
- A lifestyle change is the best. Instead of dieting, adopting a healthy lifestyle ensures long-term weight loss and a lifetime of improved health.
- Unprocessed food is healthiest. During food processing, many of the beneficial nutrients in the food are removed.
What about supplements?
The typical American diet is heavy in processed foods, refined grains, and added sugars and these are all linked to inflammation and chronic disease. If you are unable to make dietary changes, or if you have a genuine deficiency in a particular nutrient, such as vitamin D, a supplement will be helpful. Even if you eat a healthy, well-balanced diet, you may still fall short of needed nutrients. Taking a multivitamin daily is a good backup plan, and an easy way to fill in any gaps in your diet.
Found value? Feel free to share!!
To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Educate . Empower . Encourage
Did You Find This Helpful? If so, please feel free to share!
