A nutritious food diet contains a balanced amount of fruit, vegetables, dairy, cereals, pulses, fish and meat, which all contain nutrients vital for your body's health. You need protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals and fibers to stay free of a number of serious diseases and to give you energy. You should eat a wide range of foods from within these key food groups to ensure you do not miss out on any essential nutrients.
Function
A nutritious food diet should be low in calorie density and high in essential nutrients that help repair cells, organs and tissues in your body. It should consist of readily available foods low in sugar and saturated fat, as these have no nutritional value for your body. Along with exercise, a nutritious diet is key to good health and staying in shape. According to the George Mateljan Foundation, the world's most nutritious foods are familiar, easy to prepare, affordable, tasty and come complete with all of their natural nutrients. Whole foods with a high nutrition density are recommended.
Foods
According to the Mayo Clinic, the ten most nutritious foods are almonds, apples, blueberries, red beans, salmon, spinach, sweet potatoes, vegetable juice and wheat germ. Almonds are an excellent source of monounsaturated fat, which helps lower cholesterol, and they also possess calcium for your bones. Fruits and vegetables are full of nutritious vitamins and minerals that are good for your blood vessels, organs and skin, and promote cell repair. Salmon and other oily fish, along with lean meats like chicken, are a good source of protein but contain little fat, so you get a lot of nutrients without much calorie density. Sweet potatoes, along with whole grains and brown bread, rice and pasta, are a good source of the carbohydrates and fibers which keep your body nourished and energized.
Significance
The food you eat provides you with the fuel you need to go about your life. If you fill yourself up with food that is low in nutrition, you will suffer from fatigue and also be less inclined to exercise. Eating a nutritious diet is the most important thing you can do for your health and well-being.
Benefits
The benefits of eating a nutritious food diet are vast. The risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke is greatly reduced when you eat a nutritious diet. According to HealthierUS.gov, the eating of more nutritious food items could reduce cancer deaths in the United States by around 35 percent. If you eat a nutritious food diet, you will live a longer, fuller, healthier, more active life. Your skin, bones, hair and teeth will improve, as will your moods and sex drive.
Considerations
If you vary the nutritious foods in your diet, your meals will be more interesting, you will not miss out on any nutrients, and there will be less temptation to eat junk food out of boredom. Junk food, soda, candy and alcohol offer your body no nutrients and only do it harm. If you react badly to certain nutritious foods, you should seek an allergy test, which will let you know which foods to avoid. Consult your doctor to devise a dietary plan that ensures you do not miss out on any key nutrients. If you are vegetarian, compensate for a lack of meat with beans, pulses and other foods high in protein.
Member Comments