A Break Down Of Nutrients

 In this post today, I will be discussing the nutrients our body needs and explaining them in a way that is simple and straightforward. I think this is important information that everyone should know since we need to make sure our bodies receive these nutrients. Even if you are familiar with this information, or if you are not, the goal of this post is to provide helpful information that can be used in everyday life. There is also a lot of misinformation out there, so I hope this post can help clarify any questions held about nutrients. 

1) Water

Water is essential for our bodies to function healthily and perform well. Water can be absorbed from many sources including fruits and vegetables. It can be obtained from other drinks as well, such as in teas. The amount of water that we have to consume can be very personalistic, so it is important to recognize factors that can affect the amount of water that should be consumed. Health conditions and hot temperatures or activities that cause us to sweat can lead to a need for greater water intake. One tip I have for consuming more water is having a cup that has a reusable straw. For me, drinking water is a lot easier and convenient when I can use a straw instead of having to remove a lid, but it really is a personal preference! 

2) Fats

I believe there are many misconceptions and misinformation regarding fats, so I am hoping to debunk those harmful ideas. Fats are good for us and our body needs them to function. However, there are good fats and there are bad fats. Bad fats include trans fats and saturated fats. These types of fats are usually found in processed foods or foods from animals. The good fats that our body needs include unsaturated fats. These fats can be found in oils, fish, nuts, and seeds. We should not exclude unsaturated fats from our diet, but it would be best to limit intake of saturated fats and trans fats. One tip I have for consuming more unsaturated fats would be to substitute a vegetable oil in place of butter when cooking. It can have the same effect on the cooking but it can make it more healthy. 

3) Carbohydrates

This category of nutrients is another one that has misinformation plaguing it. There are many diets that encourage the exclusion of carbohydrates, but this is not what is healthy for our bodies. Our bodies need carbohydrates as the majority of our daily calories consumed in order to be healthy. It is our source for fuel for our bodies. The carbohydrates that are good for us are fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads. Just like fats, the carbohydrates that are not as good for us are often found in processed foods. Healthy carbohydrates can replace less healthier options, such as by using whole-grain bread instead of white.  

4) Protein

Protein is another important nutrient that we need to be healthy, because it is in so many parts of our body. Protein is often thought to be found in animal products such as meat and eggs, but it can also be obtained from beans and nuts. Proteins contain amino acids which we need to obtain in our diet because our body cannot make them on its own. Protein intake varies on one's lifestyle and conditions, such as that bodybuilders need to consume more protein in order to build or maintain muscle mass. 

5) Vitamins

These are a source for many important processes and functions within our body including our vision and immune system. It is important to note that while there are supplements for vitamins, our bodies retain and use vitamins best when they are consumed through foods. However, vitamin supplements can be beneficial if one is experiencing a deficit and it is recommend by a doctor. Vitamins are found in vegetables and fruits. Most commonly known vitamins include vitamin C, A, B, E, and D. 

6) Minerals

Minerals are important in maintaining our bones and physiological processes. Minerals can be found in all types of foods, some foods are even enhanced with minerals. Some important minerals include calcium and potassium. Like vitamins, minerals can be obtained through supplements through the recommendation of a doctor but it is best for the intake to be done through consumption of foods. 

I hope that this information about nutrients can serve as a reminder or helpful for those who are wanting to learn about them. I think it is important to be mindful of these nutrients as we need them for our bodies to function well and stay healthy. Nutrients can be tracked, and I think it would be important to track them for those who have health conditions or are physically active. I think it is something we should be conscious about so that we can attempt to prevent disease or illness.