When most people think of nutrition, they think of food. It’s a food pyramid that we’re supposed to follow, but do we? Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and is made up of necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, or minerals. The food that we eat is the primary source of food for our bodies, but there are other substances that are necessary for our health too.
We need certain foods to keep us alive and healthy. Fruits and vegetables are a rich source of many vitamins and minerals, which we cannot obtain in our diets alone. Some fruits, like the avocado, contain valuable vitamins A, C, E and K. Avocado is a good choice because it contains the richest fiber in fruits, known as oleic acid. This helps to regulate our intestinal tract by keeping the colon clean and strong, thus preventing constipation. The same is true for other vegetables, like broccoli, carrots, spinach, squash or sweet potatoes, because these foods also contain high levels of vitamin A, C, E and K. Our immune system depends on the presence of these vitamins and minerals in our body.
In order to have a balanced diet, we need to eat a variety of food – protein from animal sources (such as meat, eggs, poultry, fish), fish, poultry and eggs and fruits. However, just like food, some fruits are more nutritious than others and some have more nutrients than others as well. This article will discuss a few common types of food that we can get our bodies need from.
The first two food groups – carbohydrate rich and protein rich – are the main source of energy for our body. Food like potatoes, rice, bread and cereals are found on the list of carbohydrates. These food can be consumed in small amounts without any problem. You should avoid refined grains and pasta at least three days a week to keep your blood sugar levels in balance.
The second group, which includes proteins, is less nutritious than carbohydrates but is essential for good nutrition. Foods that fall under this category include fish, nuts, beans, mushrooms, meat and milk. Some examples of protein sources include lean meat, cheese, chicken, steak, yogurt and eggs. It’s best to get protein from plant sources instead of animal sources as animal-based proteins contain more fat than plant-based proteins. So, make sure you include seeds, nuts, legumes, beans and lentils in your meal plan especially in your nutrition and exercise plans.
The last category, which consists of the 5 basic food groups, includes all the different foods that our body needs. Foods in this category include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy products and fats. These 5 food groups are essential for good nutrition and each one has its own contribution to the success and failure of your weight loss program. You should try to include every single food in at least two of the five food groups in your nutrition and exercise plans but not in excess. In your weight loss program, there should be at least five different foods from this food group that you eat at least two to three times each week for optimum results.