Nutrition is a term with many definitions. Most people understand it to mean a good diet, a healthy lifestyle, and supplementation with vitamins and minerals. It can also mean the science of how the body utilizes foods and nutrients, or the actual food itself. Healthy food in its natural state, plenty of fresh air and water, regular exercise to build muscle and fitness, and supplements if needed will keep or restore health.
Food gives us calories, which can be 'burned' by the body for energy. This term comes from the fact that utilizing calories gives off heat. Some foods provide calories and nutrients, while others (junk foods or 'empty calorie' foods) give us almost nothing but taste appeal. In fact, some foods are negatives; sugar digestion drains vitamins and minerals out of bones and teeth. Our bodies need many things besides calories, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fibers, proteins, and fats.
Whole foods contain dense nutrition in their natural, fresh form. When people lived mainly on food they produced themselves, this was not as much of a problem as it is today. Fresh vegetables from the garden, fruits from bushes and trees, and meat from the barnyard or from wildlife were staples for many generations.
Foods are modified for commercial reasons. Fresh fruits are both expensive and perishable. It's easier to stock up on canned fruits and vegetables, frozen fruit juices, or frozen vegetables. Milk, once drunk raw (unpasteurized) and fresh from the cow or goat, is now pasteurized and homogenized. Unfortunately, much of the goodness of the natural food was lost along the way.
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.
Nutrition should be the basis of everyone's lifestyle. This would result in a tremendous reduction of pain, illness, expense, and loss of productivity. Feeling good, building muscle and fitness, and enjoying life are within reach of us all, if we are wise enough to implement them.
Food gives us calories, which can be 'burned' by the body for energy. This term comes from the fact that utilizing calories gives off heat. Some foods provide calories and nutrients, while others (junk foods or 'empty calorie' foods) give us almost nothing but taste appeal. In fact, some foods are negatives; sugar digestion drains vitamins and minerals out of bones and teeth. Our bodies need many things besides calories, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fibers, proteins, and fats.
Whole foods contain dense nutrition in their natural, fresh form. When people lived mainly on food they produced themselves, this was not as much of a problem as it is today. Fresh vegetables from the garden, fruits from bushes and trees, and meat from the barnyard or from wildlife were staples for many generations.
Foods are modified for commercial reasons. Fresh fruits are both expensive and perishable. It's easier to stock up on canned fruits and vegetables, frozen fruit juices, or frozen vegetables. Milk, once drunk raw (unpasteurized) and fresh from the cow or goat, is now pasteurized and homogenized. Unfortunately, much of the goodness of the natural food was lost along the way.
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.
Nutrition should be the basis of everyone's lifestyle. This would result in a tremendous reduction of pain, illness, expense, and loss of productivity. Feeling good, building muscle and fitness, and enjoying life are within reach of us all, if we are wise enough to implement them.
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