Nutrition and Diet: Micro and Macronutrients (Health Blog Post #11)

So we're starting on nutrition this week! :D Because that's what a diet gives us; the nutrition we need to survive - or not, as the case may be.

There are two different kinds of nutrients; macronutrients , and micronutrients . Macronutrients, as the name suggests, are nutrients that we need in large amounts. Micronutrients we need in smaller amounts.

Macronutrients

These are needed by your body in large amounts - as I said before. These are needed to produce all that energy you burn during the day. Macronutrients include carbohydrates , fats , and proteins . (Sometimes water is included with this list, and sometimes it's not - but it's always important. :) If you've ever been dehydrated, you'll understand what I'm talking about.)

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are needed in much smaller amounts than macronutrients. These don't furnish energy, but instead help the many chemical processes your body has. The two kinds of micronutrients are vitamins and minerals .

Not surprisingly, you don't get those things from cookies, cake, candy, and potato chips. Where you do get them is from things like fish (protein), whole grains (carbs), and nuts (fat). The micronutrients can be found in foods like oranges, which have calcium, boron, and zinc.

We're going to work on separating good foods from 'bad' foods over the next few weeks. And no, this isn't the time for you to completely revamp your diet. xD A little bit at a time, okay? One change at a time.

First, your mindset. Yes, you've (probably) been eating junk. Who hasn't? But now that you know what your body needs to survive, you can take a look at the things you've been eating and ask yourself - have I been feeding my body what it needs? If the answer is no, then it's time to rethink your diet.

Homework! :D

Don't worry; it's easy, I promise. Take a look at your typical diet, and ask yourself what you can do to improve it. It doesn't have to be a big list. If it seems like a big challenge, a huge mountain to climb, then just pick one. Then write it in your notebook. Then, work on it a little bit each day. Read: A LITTLE BIT EACH DAY. That doesn't mean throw out the food you have in the house and go on a huge shopping trip because you decided to cut out sugar. (It's really difficult to cut out sugar, by the way. It's in everything, so I would suggest starting on something a little smaller.)

Improvement Suggestions:

Eat less candy
Eat more fruit
Eat more veggies
Learn to read nutrition labels
Cut out one 'bad' ingredient from diet
Drink more water