Nutrition is variously described as a bodily process of utilizing food, as the actual supply of nutrients from foods eaten, and as the science of metabolism as it pertains to nutrients taken in, digested, and delivered for use by the body. For those of us who are not scientists, it means healthy food, supplements, and other necessary things that build health and improve the quality of life.
To be healthy requires more than calories. This measurement of heat or energy produced by digestion dates from the 18th century, when the value of a calorie was established. 'Empty calories' are foods that can cause weight gain but offer no true nutritional value to the body. It is now known that we need vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients to thrive.
Whole foods have lots of nutritive value, but processed foods may have lost their goodness. Once people lived mainly on what they could grow themselves, but today grocery stores are the source of foods for most of us. This is a relatively new situation, and studies are just beginning to show how damaging this has been.
Today's store-bought food may have little natural goodness left in it. Foods are often modified to make them last longer on the shelf, to make them tasty, or to make them into snacks rather than main fare. Milk, for example, is no longer 100% pure, even though added ingredients do not need to be listed on the label. It is pasteurized, homogenized, and de-fatted, none of which is natural. White bread has lost the bran that provides needed fiber, is no longer partially digested before baking by beneficial yeasts, and may contain artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.
To extend shelf-life, essential fatty acids are removed, which has caused a general lack of these vital nutrients. Fiber is not popular with those who like soft or crisp baked goods, and vegetable oils used as common ingredients have been rendered unhealthy by processing. Sugar addiction is a problem for many and causes obesity, bone degeneration, and tooth decay, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
An effort must be made to obtain foods in a natural state, as fresh as possible, and in quantity suited to daily activity. Food allergies or sensitivities should be taken into account. Sugary foods, refined foods, and packaged foods full of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be eliminated altogether or strictly limited. Children should be taught early on the value of a diet rich in good fats, plentiful fiber, adequate protein, and fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals.
A healthy lifestyle involves more than diet. Exercise such as brisk walking, body building and weight training, or swimming is very important to increase circulation, encourage deep breathing, and tone muscles and internal organs. It helps maintain proper weight. Adequate intake of pure water, filtered if necessary, should be emphasized. At least eight hours of undisturbed sleep is considered beneficial.
Anyone interested in a good quality of life, with freedom from pain and illness and enough energy to enjoy both work and play, must understand nutrition and assess their own diet. Much suffering and expense can thus be avoided.
To be healthy requires more than calories. This measurement of heat or energy produced by digestion dates from the 18th century, when the value of a calorie was established. 'Empty calories' are foods that can cause weight gain but offer no true nutritional value to the body. It is now known that we need vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients to thrive.
Whole foods have lots of nutritive value, but processed foods may have lost their goodness. Once people lived mainly on what they could grow themselves, but today grocery stores are the source of foods for most of us. This is a relatively new situation, and studies are just beginning to show how damaging this has been.
Today's store-bought food may have little natural goodness left in it. Foods are often modified to make them last longer on the shelf, to make them tasty, or to make them into snacks rather than main fare. Milk, for example, is no longer 100% pure, even though added ingredients do not need to be listed on the label. It is pasteurized, homogenized, and de-fatted, none of which is natural. White bread has lost the bran that provides needed fiber, is no longer partially digested before baking by beneficial yeasts, and may contain artificial coloring, flavoring, and preservatives.
To extend shelf-life, essential fatty acids are removed, which has caused a general lack of these vital nutrients. Fiber is not popular with those who like soft or crisp baked goods, and vegetable oils used as common ingredients have been rendered unhealthy by processing. Sugar addiction is a problem for many and causes obesity, bone degeneration, and tooth decay, as well as vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
An effort must be made to obtain foods in a natural state, as fresh as possible, and in quantity suited to daily activity. Food allergies or sensitivities should be taken into account. Sugary foods, refined foods, and packaged foods full of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives should be eliminated altogether or strictly limited. Children should be taught early on the value of a diet rich in good fats, plentiful fiber, adequate protein, and fruits and vegetables for vitamins and minerals.
A healthy lifestyle involves more than diet. Exercise such as brisk walking, body building and weight training, or swimming is very important to increase circulation, encourage deep breathing, and tone muscles and internal organs. It helps maintain proper weight. Adequate intake of pure water, filtered if necessary, should be emphasized. At least eight hours of undisturbed sleep is considered beneficial.
Anyone interested in a good quality of life, with freedom from pain and illness and enough energy to enjoy both work and play, must understand nutrition and assess their own diet. Much suffering and expense can thus be avoided.
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