Nutrition plays a large role in determining an individual’s health. To be truly happy, whole, and healthy, an individual must implement not only exercise into their daily routine, but also proper nutrition.2 In this blog I will define nutrition, discuss nutritional requirements for various types of individuals and explain the two main categories of nutrients.
Nutrition is defined as “the process of eating and converting food into structural and functional body compounds like skin, muscle, and hair.”1 To properly function, each part of the body needs certain nutrients. When each part of the body receives these special nutrients, then the whole body will be able to perform at its best.
From athletes to bodybuilders, and stay-at-home moms to children, all require different meal plans to receive the nutrients they need for optimum performance. A nutritionist would not provide the same meal plan to a bodybuilder as they would an aerobic swimmer. This is because a bodybuilder will need a much larger caloric intake than the swimmer.
Most nutrients can be divided into two main categories, macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients can be divided into protein, carbohydrates, fats and water. They are what stand as the building blocks for growth and muscle repair and provide the body with the proper supply of energy. Macronutrients are present in the body in large amounts. “Micronutrients act as cofactors in making biomolecules, function as electrolytes, function as enzymes, and have structural roles.”1 They are present in small amounts in the body and the food you eat.
To reach optimum performance, an individual needs to be practice good nutrition and be aware of what they put into their bodies. In my upcoming blogs, I will discuss the importance of macronutrients and how to ensure an individual consumes the proper balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
References:
1Gastelu, D. (2000). Nutrition defined. Sports Nutrition
2Nordqvist, C. (2015). Nutrition: Why is nutrition important. Medical News Today.
Good blog! I think it is important for people to be educated on nutrition. I have heard people wondering why they are not making any progress with their workouts while they are not eating healthy. Nutrition and exercise work together for people to live a healthy lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that everyone should be on a different diet depending on their life styles! This is a great blog and it was very educational!
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