Why Fast Food Is Not Always Good For Your Health
Food is any material eaten to provide nutrition to an organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or microbial origin, and usually contains vital nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, sugars, carbohydrates or iron. It provides fuel to the body, and also aids in the growth of cells and tissues. The major components of food are protein, starch, fat, mineral ions, water, and fiber. These elements combine to make the food that we eat.
When people eat foods that provide the nutrients they need, and a balanced diet, they remain healthy. They have regular meals, which are part of their everyday life. People who are healthy eat a varied and complex diet, which usually consists of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, dairy products, and whole milk products. These foods contain all the nutrients that provide energy to the body and keep it functioning properly.
A varied and complex diet needs food with a variety of nutrients and vitamins. Most of us eat foods that provide only a little of the nutrients we need, so our diet usually lacks in iron, calcium, and other important nutrients. This deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, poor immune system, cancer, kidney stones, osteoporosis, bowel problems and obesity. A diet rich in iron and other nutrients can help to keep us healthy. Some of the better plant sources of iron include spinach, broccoli, sweet potato, beets, peanuts, chestnuts, prunes, papayas, strawberries, and raspberries.
Protein is the building block of all muscle-building foods. Some of the better plant sources of protein are beans, nuts, fish, eggs, and cheese. To get protein, you should eat food that has been mixed with fats and carbohydrates. In general, people who eat food that is mixed with fats and carbohydrates (breads, pastas, and sweets) are less likely to gain weight.
Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water and fiber. Food rich in fiber and water acts as a natural diuretic to remove excess sodium from the body. By adding beans, legumes, peas, grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds to your diet, you can greatly reduce your sodium consumption without increasing your food intake of salt. You should also consider taking a regular multivitamin/mineral supplement.
If you watch what you eat, rather than what you take, you will see food weight loss rather quickly. Many people mistakenly believe that food is bad for them. The truth is that there are certain types of food that have low fat, low calorie, and yet still retain plenty of nutrients for optimal health. These are called “nourishing foods.” If you eat foods like oatmeal, whole-wheat breads and pasta, cereal, and vegetables, you can get the most out of every food type.