Know the foods you eat!

We should all have a fundamental understanding of what nutrition is. Today, when I look around at all ages, men and women, sadly even children, it is obvious that most have lost their way and for the sake of their health they need to be lead by the hand in the right direction.

Of course, it is never the children’s fault for the food that is put into their mouths but the fault of the parents, more than likely the mother.

Over time a poor diet can impact your health in many ways, not least, causing deficiency diseases such as obesity and metabolic syndrome and common yet chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

We have been blessed with a body, that if, just for a moment, you stop and consider how you are put together it’s absolutely fabulous!

Our bodies are a miracle that we should all be very proud of and therefore it should be respected and looked after every day of our lives. Of course if you don’t want to have a keen brain, be free of pain and remain active as you age, then, there is little doubt you will stay the way you are. Bloated! Lethargic! Overweight! Depressed! Have constant headaches.

For many years now I have been saying “We are what we eat”, the wrong foods, no exercise and possibly too much alcohol.

Our parents and grandparents worked physically hard and therefore the food that they ate was worked off quickly, not storing calories. We on the other hand, due to modern technology have become sedentary, sitting at work, in the car and at home.

Let’s go back to basics, because if you understand them, it l help you make healthier food choices. Major nutrients you get from food include carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. All of these are considered macronutrients, which means that they provide the body with calories and fuel, which in turn allow the body to perform our daily activities

We all need to achieve energy balance and the only way this can be done is by having the energy coming into our bodies through calories. The amount of energy entering has to equal the energy that is going out of our bodies, or the calories that are burned, for example while we exercise. In simple terms, all it means is that when you eat the same amount of calories from food that your body needs for your daily activities, your energy levels will balance. Only by doing this will you be able to maintain a healthy body weight, which is critical to your overall health?

The main role of Carbohydrates is to provide your brain and your body with energy and should be the bulk of what is on your plate. There are three main types of carbohydrates: starches, simple sugars, and fibre.

Protein is essential for the growth and maintenance of our body tissues, not only as we grow, but for all of our lives. Proteins are made up of about twenty different combinations of amino acids

If you are one of the many who do eat a lot of fatty foods, stop now! The time has come for the sake of your health to change your eating habits, and for you to realize to grow old gracefully, in body, mind and spirit, it is imperative for you to correct the damage you may have done to your body. It is now necessary to cut the bad fats out, and introduce only the good ones.

There are three different types of fats, unsaturated fats, these are usually liquid, and you can find them in plant and fish oils. Polyunsaturated fats: These include Omega 3 and Omega 6.

Monounsaturated fats are beneficial to your well being, aiding a healthy lifestyle when used in moderation. Saturated fats: They are the main dietary cause of high blood pressure and cholesterol. Limit your intake. It can be found in diary products including whole milk, cheeses, cream, ice cream, and butter but the main source comes from poultry and meat.

Once you have introduced the correct ones into your diet, it will not be long before you notice the difference and can rest assured that you will no longer be putting your body in jeopardy from your fat intake.

Trans fat does not occur in nature but is man made and has lead to the body form growing out of all proportion. Therefore in my humble opinion, should be kept to ZERO.

Nutrition is not difficult, now is the time to aim for optimum health, by balancing your body instead of it being out of sync. This approach is not new. Thomas Edison said “The doctor of the future will no longer treat the human frame with drugs but rather will cure and prevent disease with nutrition.”