Put simply, nutrition is the way in which we deliver our body with the nutrients necessary and essential for good health, growth, repair and recovery. Nourishing our bodies with the foods we eat. Nutritionally dense foods allow you to enjoy the feeling of wellness that comes with better health. A healthy body needs adequate nutrition to give it the best chance of operating optimally and fighting disease. The vast majority of our nourishment is mainly from macronutrients, these are the dietary’s main players, alongside this micronutrients contain many vitamins and minerals that are equally as important. A well-balanced diet should contain a variety of different foods. There are three main macronutrients: Carbohydrates, Protein & Fats. These provide the body with the energy to function correctly. Many of the bodies processes are carried out without conscious awareness, breathing, temperature regulation, digestion, cell repair, all of these require energy alongside, of course, physical movement. These macronutrients are required in fairly large amounts to supports your body's functions. The addition to macronutrients is dietary fibre, dietary fibre supports healthy digestion, immune system, bowel movements, and contributes to a reduction of chronic health problems alongside a well-balanced lifestyle. The UK recommend 30g dietary fibre for adults. Children from 2 + need on average 15g per day. Micronutrients are a collection of vitamins and minerals that are super important and vital to health. In children, these play a huge part in healthy growth and development. Micronutrients are overlooked by so many, and this is contributing to a growing world-wide deficiency in essential vitamins like Iron, Vitamin A all of which have an effect on wellbeing. Micronutrients can be found mainly in plants, getting a variety of colour within your nutrition will ensure you support overall health.
What is protein?
Protein is a major player in a diet, forming the building blocks of the body, used to help repair and build muscles, skin, hair and nails. Protein is key in enabling many of the bodies metabolic functions. Every single cell within the body contains protein, known as amino acids, these form the tissues and play a vital part in the delivery of chemical reactions around the body ensuring optimal function. The body however can only produce 11 of the 20 required amino acids to function optimally, the other 9 are referred to as essential amino acids and are found in dietary sources. Protein also aids in regulating hunger signalling, thus keeping you fuller for longer. Protein is predominately digested within the stomach, this plays into the thermic effect of feeding as the body is utilising energy to mechanically break it down with digestion. One of the bodies main hunger hormones, ghrelin (think gremlin) is found in the stomach, therefore the regular uptake of protein helps increase satiety and fullness keeping you fuller for longer alongside aiding in the normal and optimal functioning of each cell. 1.6-2.2g p/kg lean mass it what is advised for individuals.
What are Carbohydrates?
Carbohydrates are the bodies main source of energy. They provide the body and the brain with glucose to use as energy and stored for later use as glycogen for when needed. Carbohydrates also play a key role in digestion and the uptake of many vitamins and minerals through the consumption of dietary fibre.
What are fats?
Fats are another source of energy for the body, but also play a key role in the absorption of other nutrients within the diet. Fats aid in hormonal health and many other of the bodies normal functions like brain activity. There are two main types of fats, saturated and unsaturated, whilst many foods contain a mixture of the two, it is beneficial to minimise the uptake of saturated fats and increase the consumption of mono and polysaturated fats. Too much saturated fats can lead to heart problems, it is recommended to consume no more than 11% of total intake in saturated fats.
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