1st Health Articles

Healthy eating requires you to eat 40 different nutrients every day to keep your body healthy. You can break down all of these nutrients into small categories in order to understand them and make sure you get all of the foods you need.

First, everyone needs water to live a healthy life. Without water, we become dehydrated, and will eventually die. You lose water when you sweat and through daily bodily functions, so water must constantly be replenished. Drinking 8 glasses a day is recommended. Water is found in foods, not just drinks, so you can get some of your 8 glasses by eating certain foods, such as watermelon.

Of course, we need much more than water each day to survive. Another group of nutrients we can’t do without is proteins. Proteins are found in foods such as meat, eggs and soy products. They provide the amino acids needed to build muscle tissue, as well as help produce some of the hormones in our bodies. Red blood cells and hair are also made from protein.

The body also needs adequate amounts of fats and carbohydrates to have enough energy during the day. Fats are primarily used for energy during intense activity, like exercising, while carbohydrates are mostly used for energy during less intense activities, like standing and sitting.

Both the fats and the carbohydrates that we eat in a day can be stored as fat for later use, so it is important to eat enough for energy, but also important to regulate our intake so we  stay slim and healthy. In the event that you are not eating enough fats and carbohydrates, your body can also supply itself with fuel from proteins.

Vitamins and minerals are also important nutrients for our daily lives. We get these from fruits, vegetables, milk and most other natural sources of food. Some of our foods, such as bread products, can even be enriched so that we get more vitamins and minerals in our bodies.

There are dozens of vitamins and minerals that you need regularly, such as iron, thiamine, vitamin C and vitamin D. If you are eating a healthy diet, chances are you get enough vitamins and minerals from your foods, but taking vitamin supplements to make sure that you are getting the right amounts is also a good idea. Supplements may be available to help with other nutrients, too, so if you are worried, talk to your doctor about how you can be sure you’re getting a healthy amount of nutrients.