Jumat, 29 Juli 2011

March - Nutrition Month to stay healthy

By Roshelle Elizabeth


National Nutrition Month is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. National Nutrition Month is the time of year to remind us of the importance of good nutrition. Make healthy choices by eating smart and adding activity that is more physical.

Eat a variety of healthy foods in the right amount, so your body gets the nutrients needed to maintain good health and work properly. What exactly are the nutrients that come from food? The macronutrients or "big" nutrients include proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. The micronutrients or "little" nutrients are the vitamins and minerals that we need to be healthy. A balanced diet includes nutrient dense foods in the right amounts to help your body stay fit and healthy.

Macronutrients - Macronutrients are nutrients that contain calories. There are only macronutrients-fat, carbohydrates, and protein. Macronutrients give us the calories we need for energy and growth. All natural foods contain a mixture of fat, carbohydrates, and protein, although some (primarily animal products) contain only two of the three. For example, a banana is mostly carbohydrate (93%), but it does contain some fat (3%) and protein (4%). Spinach, like all dark leafy green vegetables, contain approximately equal amounts of carbohydrates (40%) and protein (43%), along with a lesser amount of fat (7%). Macronutrients should take up the largest portion of your diet. Your body uses macronutrients for energy, growth and repair. Different types of macronutrients do different things for your body, so it is important to get variety in your daily diet, so that you get the right types of each class of macronutrient.

Micronutrients - These include the 12 vitamins and 13 minerals that we need every day. Vitamins are grouped as water-soluble or fat-soluble depending on whether they can dissolve in fat or water. Minerals are divided into two groups, the major minerals and the trace minerals. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C and the seven B-complex vitamins. They have a variety of functions and you need all of them to be healthy. Chronic deficiencies of these vitamins can result in poor health. Fat-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E and K. Vitamins A and E come strictly from the foods you eat. However your body can make both vitamin D and vitamin K. Major Minerals include calcium, phosphorus, chloride, magnesium, potassium and sodium. These minerals are particularly important for healthy bones, teeth, muscles and fluid balance in the body. The trace minerals are chromium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, selenium and zinc. Your body needs all of these minerals for a variety of processes to keep it working.

Eating nutrient-dense food will ensure you are getting all the nutrition you need. A nutrient-dense diet won't leave you feeling hungry so maintaining your weight is much easier. The importance of healthy eating habits is not just limited to the food that's eaten; it is also about how it is eaten. A healthy eating habit is possible by choosing and eating nourishing and enjoyable foods. In this National Nutrition Month, start cooking some healthy foods and stay healthy for the whole year.




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