Nutrition 101: What to Know



Nutrition is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. It is important to know the basics of nutrition in order to make informed decisions about what foods to eat and how to fuel your body. Here is a crash course in Nutrition 101:

1. Macronutrients: Macronutrients are the three main types of nutrients that provide energy for your body: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Carbohydrates are found in grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products; proteins are found in meat, fish, eggs, legumes, and nuts; and fats are found in oils and fatty foods like butter or avocados. Each macronutrient provides different benefits for the body.

2. Vitamins & Minerals: Vitamins and minerals are essential micronutrients that help your body function properly by providing it with necessary vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other substances that keep cells healthy. They can be found in a variety of foods such as fruits & vegetables as well as fortified products like cereals or breads.

3. Balanced Diet: Eating a balanced diet means consuming all three macronutrients (carbohydrates proteins & fats) as well as vitamins & minerals at appropriate amounts for optimal health and energy levels throughout the day. A balanced diet should include food from all food groups including fruits & vegetables; whole grains; lean proteins like fish or chicken; low-fat dairy products; nuts & seeds; legumes; healthy oils such as olive oil or coconut oil; herbs & spices for flavorings; water for hydration purposes etc..

4. Portion Control: Portion control is an important part of eating a balanced diet because it helps you ensure you’re not eating too much or too little of any particular nutrient group at one time which can lead to weight gain or deficiencies if not monitored correctly over time . To manage portion sizes use smaller plates when serving meals so you don’t overfill them with food , measure out portions with measuring cups/spoons , read nutrition labels on packaged items , use visual cues such as 1/2 cup = size of tennis ball etc..

5 . Calorie Counting : Calorie counting involves tracking how many calories you consume each day from all sources including beverages , snacks , meals etc.. This helps ensure you’re eating an appropriate amount based on your individual needs . You can count calories manually by keeping track on paper/spreadsheet or use apps like MyFitnessPal which can help make calorie counting easier .

By understanding these five basics of nutrition – macronutrients , vitamins/minerals , balanced diet , portion control & calorie counting – you will be able to make more informed decisions about what foods to eat so that you can maintain optimal health!

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Nutrition, Macronutrients, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins & Minerals, Balanced Diet, Portion Control, Calorie Counting,

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