Nutrition
Nutrition is the study of food and its use by the body. It is a fundamental principle of health. And with good reason: some illnesses are largely due to the food we eat.
Good nutrition is essential, especially in these times of health crisis. And because food products are as numerous as they are varied, it’s not always easy to find your way around and understand the importance of each product. On this page, I invite you to discover food in all its guises: food and sport, foods to boost immunity, foods that make you fat, and so on. foods that make you fat and those that have the opposite effect, which fruits and vegetables and much more.
Nutrition is a vast subject. Here’s a chance to explore it and get to know some essential principles and advice to apply on a daily basis.
The importance of excellent nutrition
Before getting to the heart of the matter, I’d like to mention the importance of good nutrition. These days, people tend to neglect their food. Yet a balanced, healthy diet is essential for good health. What’s more, it contributes to the proper functioning of the body. Hence its importance. With a view to adopting an exemplary diet, certain products are to be favored.
Good nutrition means a diet rich in :
- Carbohydrates: provide the body with the energy it needs;
- Proteins: they play a vital role in the functioning of the body, particularly in muscle development;
- Lipids (also known as fats): the energy they provide can be stored in fat cells or used by the body;
- Minerals and vitamins: they contribute to the body’s development. As the body is unable to produce micronutrients, it needs a balanced diet.
Apart from all that, staying well hydrated is essential. Since most of the body is made up of water, good hydration enables the body to function optimally.
Nutrition: how to compose your meals?
A healthy diet also means dividing your meals evenly throughout the day. We recommend dividing meals into four parts:
- Breakfast;
- Lunch;
- Snacks ;
Each daily meal should also include a variety of foods.
Starchy foods
Starchy foods help you fill up on energy. This category of foods includes :
Vegetables and fruit
As you probably already know, it’s recommended to eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day. This will provide your body with fiber, water and vitamins.
Fish and meat
These foods will give you an adequate supply of protein. However, you should limit yourself to a maximum of two portions of meat or fish a day.
Fats
Although not recommended, fats should still be included in your diet, but in small quantities. This is because they provide the body with vitamins and lipids.
Milk and dairy products
Milk and dairy products can be consumed up to three times a day. Foods derived from milk are a source of protein and calcium.
The water
Water is important. Drink at least 1.5 liters a day to keep your body well hydrated.
So, if you want to enjoy a balanced diet, each of the above-mentioned elements should be consumed. And of course, some should be taken in moderation. A poor diet can affect your mind and body to a greater or lesser degree. All in all, a good diet is more than useful. Not only will it help to strengthen your immune system, it will also help you to develop your body better. And this is true whether or not you practice sport.
Watch out for fattening foods to help you stay slim
When we talk about nutrition, we also talk about weight gain. But good nutrition doesn’t mean weight gain. To avoid this, you need to choose the right foods. We often hear that such and such a food makes you lose weight, but we never hear the list of those food products that make you gain weight.
So if you’re on a slimming diet, here are a few foods to avoid (or keep to a minimum):
- The cheesewhich is considerably fattier, such as cantal, emmental, crottin, raclette, gouda… If you love cheese, opt for fresh cheeses.
- Fried foods, which are also very fatty. Most fried foods are cooked in a pool of oil. If you want to eat vegetables or chicken, don’t fry them. Instead, boil, steam or grill them.
- Cured meats, including chorizo, sausage, ham and bacon. They contain enormous quantities of saturated fatty acids and salt.
- Sugar: sweets are high in calories and nutritionally irrelevant. Worse still, sugaris bad for your health.
- Alcohol: the worst enemy of an excellent diet. High in calories, alcoholic beverages stimulate the appetite, making you fatter. Avoid at all costs!
There are many fattening foods, but the ones listed above are the ones to worry about if you want to lose weight and enjoy good nutrition.
Fruits, vegetables or starches?
When preparing your meal, you shouldn’t eat everything in sight. A good composition could help you get a very good nutritional intake. But deciding whether to choose fruits, vegetables or starchy foods can be tricky. The key is to combine them to get the most out of your diet.
In any case, it’s important to emphasize that nutrition is something no one should take lightly. And if you want to stay healthy, don’t forget to engage in regular physical activity.
