Nutrition & Nutrients

Nutrition is what we get out of a healthy balanced diet. Our diet promotes healthy lifestyle, supports normal growth, development and ageing, helps to maintain a healthy body weight, and reduces the risk of chronic disease leading to overall health and well-being. Hence it becomes a necessity for us to make sure we are eating healthy. The meaning of healthy balanced diet varies according to age, gender and degree of physical activities ones indulges into.
But before knowing our ideal diet it is important to know the nutrients. The human body needs a long list of nutrients every day. The essentials nutrients are called “macronutrients,” and our body needs them to stay healthy and perform optimally. They include the following: –
• Water
Our body is made up of 50 to 75 per cent water. That’s the reason it can last weeks without food, but only days without water. Water forms the basis of blood, digestive juices, urine and perspiration, and is contained in lean muscle, fat and bones. As the body can’t store water, we need fresh supplies every day to make up for losses from the lungs, skin, urine and faeces. The amount we need depends on our body size, metabolism, the weather, the food we eat and our activity levels.

• Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are essential for providing the body with energy and helping it function optimally. People may have varying requirements for carbohydrates according to their lifestyle, weight, and activity level.

• Protein
Protein is made up of Amino Acids which are the building blocks to all muscle growth. Without protein, it would be impossible for your body to build, repair and maintain muscle tissue. Having sufficient amount of protein will put you in a positive nitrogen balance, which is ideal for fitness goals.

• Fats
Fat is also a type of nutrient, and just like protein and carbohydrates, our body needs some fat for energy, to absorb vitamins, and to protect your heart and brain health. For years we’ve been told that eating fat will add inches to your waistline, raise cholesterol, and cause a myriad of health problems. But we know that not all fat is the same. By understanding the difference between good and bad fats you can improve your diet.

• Vitamins & Minerals
Living a healthy lifestyle means staying in tune with your body and listening to what it tells you. When it comes to nutrition, you do your best to get all the right nutrients to stay energized and nourished. Vitamin and minerals are considered essential nutrients—because acting in concert, they perform hundreds of roles in the body. They help shore up bones, heal wounds, and bolster your immune system. They also convert food into energy, and repair cellular damage.