| You should already know that nutrition is very | | | | nutrients, our bodies and how we use these nutrients. |
| important to your quality of life. If you want to have a | | | | This is why it is very important that you get all the |
| healthy life and lifestyle, you will need to have a healthy | | | | facts when planning to change your lifestyle and diet. |
| diet with proper nutrition. You might hear all the time | | | | Many people are suffering from malnutrition and may |
| that your nutrition greatly affects the way you live and | | | | not even know it. Many overweight individuals may be |
| your quality of life but have you ever really thought | | | | suffering from malnutrition. Just because you are |
| about why? Do you really understand why it is so | | | | eating does not mean you are eating the right things. |
| important? | | | | Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals and |
| If you really want to take the steps to live the long life | | | | antioxidants that your body needs to be healthy. The |
| that you deserve and to be as healthy as possible and | | | | specific ones and amounts of each will depend on |
| enjoy those years, than you need to learn all you can | | | | your body, sex, age and other factors. Every person is |
| about the importance of optimal nutrition. What you eat | | | | different so there is not one set plan that works for |
| really affects your body and health. | | | | everyone. You need to learn what works for you. As |
| 1. What is optimal nutrition? | | | | you change, grow older, etc. this will change again and |
| 2. What nutrients do you need to be healthy? | | | | you will continue to have to adjust this. |
| 3. What foods give you these nutrients? | | | | Macronutrients are the carbs, proteins and fats that |
| Importance of Optimal Nutrition | | | | you get from foods. The amounts of these that you |
| Optimal nutrition is very important to your overall health | | | | need will vary as well. This is where many myths |
| and fitness. Studies have shown that people can | | | | come in about what you should or should not eat. The |
| actually live longer if they have healthy nutrition. It is | | | | facts are that too much of anyone can be bad and |
| proven that there is a link between optimal nutrition and | | | | not enough can be bad. It's all about finding a balance. |
| long life and long term health. | | | | This means those "All-Carb" or "No Carb" diets that |
| If you take a look at society, you will notice an | | | | are so popular on the market are really not the best |
| increasingly large number of people that are | | | | thing for you. |
| overweight and obese. You will also see problems | | | | What you choose to ingest in your body has a big |
| such as poor teeth and acne, dry, brittle skin, dry hair | | | | impact on your overall health and your general |
| and other problems. You will find many people on | | | | well-being. People now eat more fast foods and |
| medications for headache, stomach problems, acid | | | | frozen dinners and other quick meals that are not very |
| reflux, constipation, heart disease, high blood pressure | | | | nutritious at all. Some of these foods even have |
| and more. What may be more alarming than the high | | | | additives in them that can make them addictive so that |
| amount of medications is the fact that most people | | | | you want more and more. People typically eat out of |
| receive very little information about what is actually | | | | hunger and many of these foods do not work to |
| causing their disease or condition. Instead, they get a pill. | | | | satisfy your hunger leaving you wanting more or |
| What many people never know is that what they are | | | | something else. Yet, they still have many calories and |
| eating (or not eating) can be causing these health | | | | fat and other things that your body does not need. |
| problems. You also need to understand that you will | | | | Make the Committment |
| have to make changes and adjustments to your | | | | If you are serious in obtaining optimal health to the best |
| intake over the years and stages of your life. Just like | | | | of your ability, then take a look at your lifestyle in |
| toddlers need a different diet from teenagers, you also | | | | general. Are you eating the right foods? Are you |
| need to alter your diet as you continue through all of | | | | exercising? Are you getting plenty of fresh air on a |
| life's stages. Understanding what is best for you | | | | daily basis? Do you have positive relationships? If you |
| through each stage of your life is the best way to | | | | find yourself answering "no" to these questions, then |
| remain in optimal health. | | | | make the commitment to change. Talk with your |
| Micro and Macronutrients | | | | family, friends, or a nutritionist. Check to see if there |
| Many people hear that they need proper nutrition but | | | | are support groups in your area related to health and |
| just what does that mean exactly? What nutrients do | | | | lifestyle changes. Look into joining your local gym. Do |
| you need to be healthy? Optimal nutrition will include a | | | | your research and then purchase the right nutritional |
| variety of different micronutrients and macronutrients. | | | | supplements that will help you achieve your goals. |
| Micronutrients include certain vitamins, minerals and | | | | If you at least try to make a change in one area, more |
| antioxidants. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, | | | | are sure to follow! You are now on your way to |
| proteins and fats that make up the foods you eat. | | | | optimal health. |
| There is too often a lot of myth surrounding the | | | | |