These nutrients provide sugars to your system for quick energy. 40-50% of our daily food energy intake (in calories) should be carbohydrates, but not just any carbohydrates. Many processed foods (candy, ice cream, soda, fruit juice, honey, etc.) have very high amounts of refined carbohydrates that flood your body too quickly with energy. Over time, this can cause very serious health problems. Make sure to get most of your carbohydrates from unprocessed foods (whole grains, beans, peas, brown rice, fresh fruits and vegetables).
These are sometimes called the building blocks of life because, in addition to providing slow, sustained energy, proteins provide necessary amino acids that help regulate body function and structure. This is why some body-builders and athletes add protein supplements to their diets. Go to our page, Proteins-Amino Acids to get more information on specific proteins. 20-30% of our daily food energy intake should be from proteins. While all meats and dairy foods are high in proteins, the best protein foods are low in cholesterol and saturated fats (ocean fish, salmon is best, tofu, beans, black-eyed peas).
Fats may be the least understood of the nutrient groups. We can't live without them but we think they harm us. Actually, only certain fats (cholesterol, saturated fats) are harmful when eaten in excess. This is why we should limit our beef, pork, lamb, veal, butter, coconut and dairy products. Monounsaturated fats (from nuts, seeds, olives) and Polyunsaturated fats (from sunflower, corn, fish and shellfish) are fats that are good for us. Omega 3 fats (cold water ocean fish, salmon) actually have been shown to reduce cholesterol. Our fat intake should be about 20-30% of our diet.
Yes, water is a nutrient...the forgotten nutrient. Many people chase after the latest, most exotic nutrient when all they really need is to drink enough pure water. Nothing else works like water to clean your system, control your weight, digestion, energy, alertness. Nothing on this page can work if you're not getting enough pure water. For most adults, 1/2 to 3/4 gallon of water daily is right...don't go much over that. Like all other nutrients, too much water can cause serious health problems. See our page Drinking Water-Advantages for information on water advantages, disadvantages, purity, etc.
If you're looking to nutrition for health and fitness, you probably want a healthy life...not just body or looks...but mind, body and spirit. You can renew your mind and spirit with God's help. He can heal the stuff your diet doesn't control. If you want His help, go to Healing From God.
Nutrition Tips
6 Basic Nutrients Groups
Antioxidant Definition
Buying Low Fat Foods
Calories In Food List
Dangers Of Trans Fat
Diverticulitis
Diet-Causes
Drinking Water
Fiber-Fruits Vegetables
Herbal Nutrition
In Defense Of Food
List Of High Fiber Foods
Low Fat High Flavor Tips
Low Fat Restaurant Food
Low Sodium Foods
Macronutrients
Micronutrients
Minerals Good For Body
Nutrition Supplements
Other
Nutrients
Protein-Amino Acids
Vitamin Benefits List
What Is Diet?
Why Nutrition
Important?