Copyright 2005
You should already know that nutrition is very important to
your quality of life. If you want to have a healthy life
and lifestyle, you will need to have a healthy diet with
proper nutrition. You might hear all the time that your
nutrition greatly affects the way you live and your quality
of life but have you ever really thought about why? Do you
really understand why it is so important?
If you really want to take the steps to live the long life
that you deserve and to be as healthy as possible and enjoy
those years, than you need to learn all you can about the
importance of optimal nutrition. What you eat really
affects your body and health.
1. What is optimal nutrition?
2. What nutrients do you need to be healthy?
3. What foods give you these nutrients?
Importance of Optimal Nutrition
Optimal nutrition is very important to your overall health
and fitness. Studies have shown that people can actually
live longer if they have healthy nutrition. It is proven
that there is a link between optimal nutrition and long
life and long term health.
If you take a look at society, you will notice an
increasingly large number of people that are overweight and
obese. You will also see problems such as poor teeth and
acne, dry, brittle skin, dry hair and other problems. You
will find many people on medications for headache, stomach
problems, acid reflux, constipation, heart disease, high
blood pressure and more. What may be more alarming than the
high amount of medications is the fact that most people
receive very little information about what is actually
causing their disease or condition. Instead, they get a
pill.
What many people never know is that what they are eating
(or not eating) can be causing these health problems. You
also need to understand that you will have to make changes
and adjustments to your intake over the years and stages of
your life. Just like toddlers need a different diet from
teenagers, you also need to alter your diet as you continue
through all of life's stages. Understanding what is best
for you through each stage of your life is the best way to
remain in optimal health.
Micro and Macronutrients
Many people hear that they need proper nutrition but just
what does that mean exactly? What nutrients do you need to
be healthy? Optimal nutrition will include a variety of
different micronutrients and macronutrients. Micronutrients
include certain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins and fats
that make up the foods you eat.
There is too often a lot of myth surrounding the nutrients,
our bodies and how we use these nutrients. This is why it
is very important that you get all the facts when planning
to change your lifestyle and diet. Many people are
suffering from malnutrition and may not even know it. Many
overweight individuals may be suffering from malnutrition.
Just because you are eating does not mean you are eating
the right things.
Micronutrients are the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants
that your body needs to be healthy. The specific ones and
amounts of each will depend on your body, sex, age and
other factors. Every person is different so there is not
one set plan that works for everyone. You need to learn
what works for you. As you change, grow older, etc. this
will change again and you will continue to have to adjust
this.
Macronutrients are the carbs, proteins and fats that you
get from foods. The amounts of these that you need will
vary as well. This is where many myths come in about what
you should or should not eat. The facts are that too much
of anyone can be bad and not enough can be bad. It's all
about finding a balance. This means those "All-Carb" or "No
Carb" diets that are so popular on the market are really
not the best thing for you.
What you choose to ingest in your body has a big impact on
your overall health and your general well-being. People now
eat more fast foods and frozen dinners and other quick
meals that are not very nutritious at all. Some of these
foods even have additives in them that can make them
addictive so that you want more and more. People typically
eat out of hunger and many of these foods do not work to
satisfy your hunger leaving you wanting more or something
else. Yet, they still have many calories and fat and other
things that your body does not need.
Make the Committment
If you are serious in obtaining optimal health to the best
of your ability, then take a look at your lifestyle in
general. Are you eating the right foods? Are you
exercising? Are you getting plenty of fresh air on a daily
basis? Do you have positive relationships? If you find
yourself answering "no" to these questions, then make the
commitment to change. Talk with your family, friends, or a
nutritionist. Check to see if there are support groups in
your area related to health and lifestyle changes. Look
into joining your local gym. Do your research and then
purchase the right nutritional supplements that will help
you achieve your goals.
If you at least try to make a change in one area, more are
sure to follow! You are now on your way to optimal health.
About the Author:
Monique Hawkins is an Associate with USANA Health Sciences.
One of her passions is encouraging and supporting others to
obtain optimal health and wellness. Visit her USANA website
at http://www.whyusana.com/mhawkins and her new music box
website at http://www.my-music-box.com .
