Nutrition, what does it mean anyway?
And can you win at nutrition? Yes, I think you can!
This month we've focused on “All things Nutrition for You!” I’ve shared insights and information on anti-inflammatory diet & inflammation, hydration, all about healthy fats and their impact on energy and mood; I discussed the importance of food diversity and how to get out of a food rut, plus the significance of nutrition on your gut microbiome, and more.
That’s a deep dive! And while I think we all have a general understanding of what nutrition is, I’d like to make sure you leave February confident as you sashay into March with a clear understanding about nutrition, nutrients, and how you actually can win at nourishing yourself!
What is nutrition?
It’s a science focusing on the interactions between living organisms and their food
It’s the study of the biological processes used by the body to break down, absorb, and utilize the nutrients contained in food
What are nutrients? Nutrients are the chemical substances contained in food that are necessary to sustain life. They play many key roles in the body, including:
Providing energy (calories)
Contributing to the body’s structure (such as protein that are building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood)
Regulating and assisting in body processes (e.g. enzymes & hormones)
Nutrients can be broken down into 3 main groups:
Water
Macronutrients: Proteins, Fats, & Carbohydrates
Micronutrients: Vitamins & Minerals
You Are What You Absorb Eating a nutrient-dense diet is essential, but you must actually absorb the nutrients you eat to benefit from them. Eating on-the-go or while you're multitasking, or not chewing your food thoroughly, all interfere with proper digestion and the absorption of nutrients in the foods you eat.
The Nutrition Problem Few people make the connection between nutrition, lifestyle habits, mindset, and health. The truth is that eating a nutrient-dense, properly prepared, whole foods diet is often the least expensive, least invasive (medical intervention), most effective, and most enjoyable approach to transforming your health.
The Nutrition Solution Eat your way back to health. The decision to heal chronic health problems, prevent disease, and improve the quality of your life begins with fundamental improvements in your diet, mindset, and lifestyle. A diet filled with wholesome foods provides your body with the raw materials it needs—vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals*—to begin healing, detoxifying, and rebuilding itself. This basic nutrition is foundational and an essential first-step on the road to health.
*Phytochemicals are antioxidant chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables.
So how can you win at nutrition?
Here are 3 basic steps:
Make a decision that your health, and how you nourish yourself, is a priority.
Set aside a few hours each week to make a meal plan, grocery shop, and kick ass in the kitchen.
Follow through on your plan.
Meal prep, a fantastic way to set yourself up for nutritional success!
February 25, 2020