The Top Five Foods For a Healthy Body
The Top Five Foods For a Healthy Body
Food is any substance ingested to provide nutrition to an organism. It consists of any material that is consumed by an animal to supply the body with nutrients. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and normally contains necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals or other substances that are needed by the body. Plants only contribute dietary material if they are consumed directly by the food, or via the intestines. Animals eat plants to help them obtain nourishment.
Plants contain different kinds of nutrients. Some provide food for the body, and some are used to create other nutrients. The primary food components that are found in plants are carbohydrates, sugars, fat, proteins and vitamins. These food components can be divided into three main categories: carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
Carbohydrates are found in foods like breads, pasta and cereals. They are the main source of energy for animals and people. A carbohydrate can be converted into glucose which is stored in the liver and blood cells for later use. This energy can be stored as either glucose or fat which are equally important to the body and provide large amounts of energy when consumed regularly.
Sugars are found in foods including most vegetables and fruits, grains, nuts and legumes. They are the main source of energy and are broken down into two forms, simple and complex. Complex carbohydrates contain larger amounts of nutrients that can be stored as fat or stored in the liver. Simple carbohydrates are found in foods which are broken down into simple sugars.
Fats are used by the body for energy production and as a source of food. The body requires a variety of different types of fats to function properly. The main fat types found in the body are monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats and trans-fats. These fats can be derived from plant sources such as nuts, seeds, soybeans, olives and fish oils, although margarine, butter and hydrogenated oils are also considered healthy fats. Vitamin E is essential for the maintenance of healthy skin, as well as the health of other parts of the body, and it also plays a role in the production of vitamin D.
Vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes, peas and squash are rich in vitamins and minerals and provide a wide range of micronutrients needed by the body. They are high in potassium, iron, magnesium and selenium and contain plenty of dietary fiber. Low in saturated fats and free of salt, these vegetables are great for maintaining a healthy weight. Even cooking vegetables using light oils such as olive oil or canola oil results in an increase in dietary fiber. By adding a serving of a high quality vegetable to your diet every day, you will begin to feel healthier and have more energy.