Fast Facts: Nutrition
There is nothing like good nutrition to keep you feeling your best throughout the day. After all, food is the energy source for our minds and bodies.
If you are maintaining a sustainable diet filled with healthy fats, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and water, you will feel the benefits. Try to minimize the number of processed foods you are eating because these are often filled with unhealthy ingredients and saturated-fats. Processed foods are often far less nutrient-dense and can leave you feeling sluggish.
But with information bombarding us about what to eat and what not to eat, it can be hard to distinguish what is truly important for your health. Here are a few things you should know:
Macronutrients are needed for the body to thrive and feel amazing and are found in varying amounts in all the foods we eat! Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are the three micronutrients, but what do they each do?
Protein helps rebuild your muscles and injured tissues, which is why it is so important after a workout or a long, active day. Protein digestion happens primarily in the stomach where the enzyme pepsin breaks it down. Absorption begins in the stomach and continues in the intestines. Protein is also key for keeping you healthy by providing benefits to your immune system! Some good sources of protein include beans, legumes, lean meat like chicken breast, nuts, quinoa, and avocado.
Carbohydrates are the body's primary energy source and should make up about half of your diet. The body breaks down carbohydrates into sugar chains to fuel the body. Some good carbohydrates to consider are fruits and veggies like apples, bananas, and carrots, as well as healthy grains and legumes like brown rice, oats, kidney beans, lentils, and chickpeas.
Fats are essential to bodily function because they help improve brain development and cell function. And who doesn’t want a body that is efficient? Healthy fats can even help you absorb the vitamins in other foods you’re eating and aid in protecting your organs. Because fats take the longest to absorb out of all the macronutrients, they can keep you feeling full for longer because they are spending a longer time in the stomach! Some healthy fats include avocados, omega-3s from fish, nuts like almonds and walnuts, and eggs.
Micronutrients are also important for allowing your body to thrive, but are needed in lesser quantities. Vitamins A, C, and E are considered antioxidants, which help protect your body from toxins. B vitamins are often called the energy vitamin because they help you extract energy from the food you’re consuming. Micronutrients work with macronutrients to maintain physical and mental well-being, so your body can function as well as possible!
Here is some additional information about the benefits of some fruits and veggies for you!
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