There’s an old saying that says, “We are what we eat.” Although simplistic, it is correct, knowing how to identify the basis of a diet and what are the effects of eating habits on the human body is the first step to conquering a healthier life. Having a healthy life depends a lot on what the individual consumes during their life. As food is directly linked to the functioning of the body as well as the quality of life in this post, I will discuss why nutrition is important for health

Why Nutrition Is Important For Health  – What Is Nutrition?

Nutrients are substances present in food, which provide energy for the functioning of the body. These substances are responsible for the formation, conservation and growth of all tissues of the organism. This term characterizes a sequence of processes of the organism, which include food intake, digestion, nutrient absorption, metabolism, and excretion. These processes aim to produce energy and maintain the vital functions of the body.

Nutrition is also the act of nourishing; it is a biological process that uses food as an energy source so that we can perform our vital functions. This means that when we eat, we transform food through digestion into substances that are called nutrients, which are absorbed by our body to aid in the growth, development and proper functioning of our entire organism. Nutrients can also help in bowel functions and in the hydration of the body. They can be classified as macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and lipids) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

Why It’s Important To Think About Nutrition

Advances in nutrition turned the routine of eating into a powerful tool to improve quality of life by analysing nutrients and how they can benefit the functioning of our organism. Nutrition analyses the physical, chemical and physiological phenomena of our body from food intake so that it can identify which nutrients are most suitable for our metabolic optimization.

Adequate food makes all the difference in health and life, promoting physical, mental and social well-being. “Consuming food in the wrong way can trigger a number of health problems and compromise the quality of life. It is through the intake of the right foods that the body receives the nutrients, vitamins and minerals it needs to keep its operation in the best way, including preventing against diseases such as anaemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes, stroke and several others.

Nutrition In Childhood

Until 6 months of age, the importance of exclusive breastfeeding is indisputable because it provides all the important nutrients for the baby, in addition to antibodies and other fundamental substances. With the months and years, the child gets to know and experiment all the foods, thus it is essential that mothers encourage a healthy, balanced diet to the child.

Childhood is the initial phase where formation and growth occur. Nutrition at this stage is essential for proper growth and development. At this stage it is important to respect schedules and meals times. The child should eat cereals, vegetables, legumes, and fruits. Parents should not stimulate the consumption of goodies and foods of low nutritional value.

Nutrition In The Adolescence

In adolescence having a balanced diet is also fundamental, because the nutritional needs in this phase are greater. It is important to be careful, as adolescents often wish to have a thin body and do anything to achieve it, almost always without guidance from a health professional, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies and eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, for example.

Teenagers usually eat a lot of snacks, without vegetables and high in fat. The consumption of fried foods, sweets and soft drinks can occur in excess. These and other bad eating habits are frequent at this stage. So it is very important to stimulate a healthy diet daily.

In addition to having a balanced diet, with the consumption of all food groups, the consumption of calcium, an important mineral for the formation of the skeleton, iron for the musculoskeletal and endocrine and zinc development, contributing to the growth and sexual maturation of adolescents should be encouraged.

Nutrition In Adulthood

Adulthood is the maintenance phase, and it is also very important to have an adequate diet. Perhaps this is the most difficult phase, because it depends on acquired eating habits, cultural, financial factors, among others. Despite all this, one should weigh the importance of a healthy diet both for the proper organic functioning, as prevention of diseases and better health when elderly.

Nutrition In The Elderly Phase

At this stage, food in addition to nourishing, can treat certain diseases and protect the body. Some factors should be considered, such as: physical, mental and emotional health status, previous eating habits, changes in the ability to chew, swallow, digest and absorb food, etc. There may also be a reduction in taste and smell.

As the person ages, their energy needs decrease, but on the other hand, the need for nutrients increases. Therefore, foods of high nutritional value should be prioritized. We can see that many  elderly people stop eating more consistent foods, opting for others of paste consistency, such as soups, teas, toast, etc. It is important to stimulate chewing and consumption of a complete and balanced diet. In general, it is important to consume foods of varying groups, in the appropriate consistency, according to the ability of the elderly to chew the food. In addition, eat in a fractional way, thus avoiding the feeling of filling.

Why Nutrition Is Important For Health – Diet

Diet refers to individual eating habits. Each person has a specific diet (healthy or not). Each culture is usually characterized by particular diets. However, in general terms, the popular use of this word usually only defines diet as a way to contain weight and keep your health in good condition.

To follow a diet, you should consult a nutritionist/nutrition coach in order to know the appropriate diet for your body. The choice of right foods in the right proportion is considered essential factors for maintaining health. A restrictive “diet” that does not take into account the needs of the body can have disastrous effects.

The Importance Of Nutrition In The Weight Loss Process

Whether for a healthy lifestyle or to lose weight, concern about food is constant on everyone’s routine. That’s why it’s important to know how to eat and give relevance to what you eat. The combination of nutrition and healthy weight loss is important to maintain correct habits, prevent the onset of diseases and maintain the longevity of those in need of weight reduction. A balanced diet is essential for the body, it can decrease stress, improve mood and facilitate weight control.

It is common for those who are overweight to adopt diets that come in and out of fashion, such as ketogenic diet, but before following any of them, it is essential to consult the nutritionist/nutrition coach. Each organism is unique and must be understood in a profound way and a professional in this field can relate the type of food that is best for you.

Nutrition And Beauty

Several studies have proven that a diet with nutritional deficiencies, with excess sugars, fat and sodium cause, in addition to the lack of nutrients in the body, weight gain and aesthetic changes. Good nutrition helps a lot in beauty! Healthy eating is a great ally in aesthetic issues. There are nutrients and vitamins that, when consumed regularly and in a balanced way, are fundamental to make the skin smoother, hair more hydrated and nails stronger. Each nutrient has a function in the aesthetic process of the body. The ideal consumption of it varies according to each person.

Why Nutrition Is Important For Health – Conclusion

In short, nutrition is the science that studies the relationship of the human being with food, considering the sociocultural context and nutritional needs of individuals in different states of health. it is a very important piece of the puzzle that sets our lives together. Our diet will have a reflection not only in our daily life in the short term, but it will also show whether we will have quality of life in the future.

The important thing is to remember that a balanced diet is fundamental to the proper functioning of the body. No food alone has all the nutrients necessary to maintain good health, so it is always good to get help of a nutritionist/nutrition coach, who can offer an individualized healthy and balanced diet.

I hope you find this post helpful and if you have any question about Why Nutrition Is Important For Health or want to leave your own personal opinion, leave me a comment below.