Why Healthy Food is Important

Your body uses good healthy food to create the energy needed for you to move around, work and enjoy life. The fruits, vegetables, meats and fish that you eat on a regular basis all provide your body with what it needs through the nutrients they contain. Energy by definition is the ability to do work. Your body takes the foods you eat and breaks them down so that their stored energy can be used on a daily basis. The amount of energy that a food provides is measured in the number of calories that it contains. The more calories means the more energy available.

In addition to a certain amount of calories each day your body also requires a balanced variety of six different kinds of nutrients in order to function well. These provide the necessary energy and materials to help repair your body after an exercise session. You may have heard the term essential nutrients, but what are they? Basically these are the nutrients that your body cannot make for itself and need to come from eating good healthy food.

Water

We are made up of about 80% water. You can live a few days without eating, but you need water on a daily basis. Did you know that you continually lose water from your body when you breathe and sweat? Many people don't realize that they lose water when they are sleeping at night. Here is a good health tip, drink one to two 8oz. glasses of water as soon as you wake up. You will start hydrating your body and give what it continually needs, water. Then spread out another six to eight glasses throughout the day to maintain a good water balance in your body.

Carbohydrates

Carbs as they are commonly called, along with fats are needed by your body to produce energy. One (1) gram of carbohydrates contain about four (4) calories. So if you are feeling tired, listless or irritable, it may be because you aren't getting enough good healthy energy producing carbohydrates. Add some good vegetables and fruits to your daily diet plan and avoid the sugary drinks and candies. Yes they have carbohydrates in them, but in the form of sugars and they are not as good for your body as the fruits and vegetables are.

Fats

Fats are shunned by many people especially when they start dieting and are trying to lose weight. However, your body needs a certain amount of fats to function properly and maintain healthy skin, nails and hair. Also, one (1) gram of fat contains a whopping nine (9) calories. So don't cut out all the fat in your diet, instead, switch from eating bad fat sources to good fat sources.

Proteins

Protein is a very important nutrient that many people do not get enough of. Protein can be used by the body as energy, one (1) gram of protein has four (4) calories. However, it serves a much more needed function by providing the necessary materials that your body needs to repair and heal itself, especially after a grueling workout. It is well known that if you are exercising regularly you need to take in good quality sources of protein to help recover from your workouts.

Here is something that most people don't realize:

Your body uses fats to help properly breakdown proteins so they can be absorbed better. That is one of the reasons that low carb, high fat and protein diets are used by people trying to reduce their body fat. These type of diets work in the short term, but after a while those people become irritable and cranky because they cut out all carbohydrates. I know when I cut my carbs when I prepared for a bodybuilding contest, I would be moody and grumpy, but then on my cheat day my attitude improved.

Vitamins & Minerals

Your body needs an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals on a daily basis. These two nutrients work in your body to help in all its functions. Everyday functions such as moving around, thinking, healing sore muscles and injuries as well as helping to break down the carbs, fats and proteins you eat for energy all require vitamins and minerals. One of the best ways to make sure you get enough is to take a good multivitamin everyday.

So, in order to build and maintain a strong healthy energetic body, you need to eat good healthy food and drink water. Avoiding any one form of nutrients will through your body out of balance as well as affect your energy levels. Make sure you add enough water to your diet and balance out the amount of fats, carbohydrates and proteins so you can live healthy, well and enjoy life.