Like the saying goes, "Health is Wealth"! Eating healthy meals makes you healthy and fit. Humans respond with a growl, a grumble and a gnawing emptiness when deprived of their food.
So, what is food?
Food is any edible substance which when taken in by the body produces energy, enhances growth, protect the body against diseases/infection and promote life activities. Humans need food for their survival. Our physical and mental functioning collectively termed 'Health' solely depends on the nutritonal quality, safety and balance of the food we eat.
Foods can be classified based on the nutrients they contain and based on their functions in the body.
Based on their functions, they can be classified as;
Energy giving foods.
These are foods rich in carbohydrate required by the body to perform work.They include foods like rice, yam sweet potato, fufu, Sugar etc.These foods provides energy, maintain normal blood glucose level, aids normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tracts (related to digestion)and reduce blood lipids(soluble fats).They should also be eaten in their right proportion for them to have an effective effect on the body.
Body building foods.
Our body needs to grow. Due to constant wear and tear in the body, new cells have to be built to repair the damaged parts.Protein like foods such as milk, beans, egg, meat, fish etc. Too much protein can be harmful to people with kidney disease, but the latest research suggests that many of us need more high-quality protein, especially as we age.
Protective foods. These are foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals in their proportions. These includes your fruits, vegetables etc.
FATS.
Not all fat is the same. While bad fats can wreck your diet and increase your risk of certain diseases, good fats protect your brain and heart. In fact, healthy fats—such as omega-3s—are vital to your physical and emotional health. Including more healthy fat in your diet can help improve your mood, boost your well-being, and even trim your waistline
WATER.
It is as important as the food we eat. Water helps flush our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many of us go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices.The bowel needs water to work properly. Dehydration can lead to digestive problems, constipation, and an overly acidic stomach. This increases the risk of heartburn and stomach ulcers.Water may also help with weight loss, if it is consumed instead of sweetened juices and sodas. "Preloading" with water before meals can help prevent overeating by creating a sense of fullness.
EXERCISE.
The body needs to be exercised for foods to function properly. Exercise plays an important role in controlling your weight and preventing obesity.To maintain your weight, the calories you eat and drink must equal the energy you burn. It strengthens your heart and improves your circulation.This helps lower your risk of heart diseases such as high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, and heart attack. Regular exercise can also lower your blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Exercise can lower your blood sugar level and help your insulin work better. This can cut down your risk for metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. And if you already have one of those diseases, exercise can help you to manage it.
Eating a healthy diet is not about strict limitations, staying thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your health, and boosting your mood.
To eat healthier foods, it is advised that you should prepare more of your own meals. Cooking more meals at home can help you take charge of what you’re eating and better monitor exactly what goes into your food. You’ll eat fewer calories and avoid the chemical additives, added sugar, and unhealthy fats of packaged and takeout foods that can leave you feeling tired, bloated, and irritable, and exacerbate symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. So, Eat healthy, Stay healthy, Live long.
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