The Health Enthusiast

When it comes to total health care, there are no shortcuts. A well-prepared balanced diet should be supplemented with an appropriate exercise regimen. But the first half of the equation -maintaining a healthy diet - need not be as painful and difficult as it usually considered to be . After all, in order to reap maximum halth bebefits you need to be able to stick with your eating plan for the rest of your life-not an easy thing to do if it invloves eating tasteless,unappetizing foods.

There are many good delicious ingredients out there that you use to prepare healthy and truly tasteful dishes, and can include in an eating plan that you can live with.

Just as in cooking where we select the best ingredients to create a wonderful recipe , in nutrition,we have to consider all of the required nutrients (carbohydrates, protein ,fat,vitamins, minerals and water) to build a healthful diet.

Nutrition is the study of foods and of the way the body uses them. Nutrients are the substances in foods which the body cannot manufacture.They help the body:

a.) Make heat and energy that it needs to perform vital functions, such as breathing and metabolism as well as maintaining,body temperature. Foods rich in carbohydrates, protein and fat supply our body with energy. This energy is measured in units called calories. Each gram of carbohydrates and protein provides the body with 4 calories while fat produces 9 calories. Alcohol , although not a nutrient , provides energy. Each gram of alcohol produces 7 calories.

b.) Grow , repair and maintain itself. Meat products supply our body with proteins needed for growth and tissue repair.

c.) Regulate body processes. Vitamins , minerals and water help in circulation , respiration and digestion.