Nutrients and Food Choices

Nutrition is the science of how food, nourishes the body. The body requires six kinds of nutrients to live. The most important nutrient among the six is water. The more the water you can drink a day the better. Three of the six are energy yielding which includes carbohydrates, fats, and protein. The last classes of nutrients are vitamins and minerals. Some of the nutrients are essential nutrients. That means that the body cannot make the nutrients for us. The best way to obtain a nutritious diet is to consume a variety of fruits, vegetables and dried beans, meats, fish and poultry, whole foods including grains, and milk and milk products each day. However, in this day and age it is very hard for people to incorporate nutrition in their lives. We have a lot to do and little time to think about what our body really needs. So why do we choose what we eat?

 There are many factors influencing food-related choices. Consumers today spend most their budget on food that requires little or no preparation because it is convenient. Other factors include the use of advertising, personal preference, habit, social pressure, availability, cost, health and nutrition benefits. So when you eat one of your meals today think about why you picked what you’re eating. Is it because it was convenient? Or because of cost? Why do you drink coffee every morning? I personal find that what I eat is because of habit or availability because I am a student. I don’t get much choice on what the cafeteria serves, but one thing I love to eat is cheese.

Food for thought: How can we sneak health foods into our diet? Because we are so busy with our lives, we should incorporate easy little things into our diet each day. An easy thing to do is to stock up on fruit. Fruit is so important to the body and most Americans don’t eat enough of it. Fruit is an easy snack to have around and will perish more slowly if kept in the fridge.

Next week, I will begin talking about the different nutrients and I plan to start with carbs. I will also include a recipe for jalapeño poppers for Labor day!

Introduction

My name is Kara and I love food. I love to shop, bake, create, and eat. Last semester I took a nutrition class that inspired me to incorporate some of the information I learned about in my life. Since food is fuel for our bodies, it is important to think about the nutritional value of what we put on our plates. 

This blog will explore food choices and human health throughout topics like food groups, nutrients, and deficiencies.  I will also provide healthy recipes and nutritious snack ideas that are tasty. I'm excited to let you know what's on my plate!