4 Facts You Should Know About Nutrition

Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to organisms. In the human diet, food is generally of animal, plant or even fungal origin, and generally contains necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or other minerals. Although, it is not possible to entirely determine the exact role food plays in our health or in maintaining our body weight, a wide variety of food substances can be used for controlling food consumption. A majority of people consume at least two meals a day (breakfast/snack) during their lifetime; whereas, in spite of this, there are many people who frequently skip meals and suffer from unhealthy weight gain. The main reasons for this are:

o Food habits: We consume food to satisfy our hunger or to comfort us. When we want to eat something, we usually choose a food. Therefore, we need to regularly assess the amount of food we consume and how much energy we spend on it. This way, we can control the amount of food intake and curb overeating. It is important to note that overeating is not only related to weight gain, but also has a devastating effect on the health of those who are affected by it. Hence, nutritionists recommend adopting a balanced diet and regular exercise in order to see food consumption and energy levels in control.

o Unprocessed Foods: Eating unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes are considered to be very beneficial for nutrition. It is proven that consuming these foods in sufficient amounts can keep you away from many health problems, such as heart problems, diabetes, osteoporosis and cancer. Unprocessed foods are also rich in essential nutrients that are not destroyed during the cooking process. For example, uncooked broccoli is very rich in anti-oxidants, iron, Vitamin C and protein, whereas steamed vegetables have high contents of Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Similarly, unprocessed grains, eggs, milk and seaweeds are rich sources of fiber and have a high fiber content.

o Eating More Food As Meals: Rather than eating large meals that include many items, it is recommended to eat more servings of food from different food groups. Consuming more food in a smaller amount of time can help you lose weight and prevent various diseases called obesity. It can also prevent the development of serious illnesses like heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke and diabetes. In fact, researchers claim that if you eat enough vitamin C, you will be able to fight against cancer at a very early stage.

o Additives in Food: Even though most of us believe that food does not contain any preservatives, it is in fact very wrong. According to the recent reports, it was found out that food additives can lead to severe health problems. Most commonly, food additives like BHT or Boric acid are used to preserve food products and improve their shelf life. Unfortunately, these chemicals are harmful to our body and may lead to cancer, kidney failure, kidney stones, circulatory system disorder and birth defects. So, instead of using these chemical additives, it is highly recommended to use an organic food where you can consume food naturally.

o Real Foods Over Processed Foods: Another misconception is that natural foods are processed foods that contain a high level of chemicals and pesticides. Actually, real foods are more nutrient rich and are good for your health. There are several good sources of real food such as vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds and seafood. Processed food items such as white bread, packaged cereals, frozen food and junk foods contain chemicals and pesticides that are harmful to our body. So, rather than consuming processed food items, it is suggested to consume more natural food which are more nutritious and healthy for your body.