By Adebukola Aluko
Nutrition is the study of how foods and drinks affect our bodies with special regard to the essential nutrients necessary to support human health.
It looks at the physiological and biochemical processes involved in nourishment and how substances in food provide energy or are converted into body tissues.
An important part of the study of nutrition is looking at the diseases that can result from malnutrition and the role food plays in the development of chronic diseases.
Nutrition explains why we choose to eat the food we eat, even when we know it may not be good for us.
Now with this background, we need to understand the work of a nutritionist.
Nutritionists advise people on what to eat and how to modify their diet so they can maintain or restore optimal health or to help relieve ill health and combat disease.
“To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art.”
La Rochefoucauld
These nutrients which are the source of energy for our bodies are classified as:
Carbohydrates, (bread, yam, potatoes, rice etc),
Fat and oil, (butter, cheese, Vegetable oil etc),
Vitamins & Minerals (fruits, such as orange banana, pineapple, vegetables like spinach, carrot, okra cabbage, onions etc),
Proteins, (beans, meat, chicken, milk, fish) and Water (potable drinking water).
What is good nutrition?
This means obtaining the right amount of nutrients from healthy foods in the right combinations.
Poor nutrition can lead to lack of energy, digestive problems, food allergies, weight gain, weight loss, depression and anxiety as well as many of today’s most prevalent chronic diseases like Coronary Heart Disease and Cancers.
In essence, having nutritional knowledge and making informed choices about the foods you eat can help you achieve optimum health over your lifetime.
Why is Nutrition Important?
Most people know that good nutrition and physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, however, the benefits of good nutrition go beyond weight.
Good nutrition can help:
• Reduce the risk of some diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, some cancers.
• Reduce high blood pressure.
• Lower high cholesterol in the body.
• Improve your general well-being.
• Improve your ability to fight off illnesses.
• Improve your ability to recover from illness or injury.
• Increase your energy level.
It is advised that you plan your meals and snacks to include nutrient-dense foods that are also low in calories.
Remember, “you are what you eat”, so, eat right to live long.
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
