Overfed but Undernourished? Understanding the Basics of Nutrition is Important

Consumption of nutritious foods and fluids is necessary for survival, growth and wellbeing. In general, people eat food to satisfy hunger and do not examine the nutrient value in different foods. Over time, eating also evolved into a social occasion and foods are consumed on ordinary as well as special days. Our food habits are influenced by cultural, social and economic factors. The nutrients derived from food meet multiple needs of the body. The body's nutritional needs are met by consuming macronutrients, micronutrients and phytochemicals. In general, nutrition is a broad study based on the knowledge gained from basic sciences and consistent investigations and research. Nutrition is an evolving subject since there are new findings that need to be incorporated in practices. This is one of the main reasons why it's possible to be overfed and undernourished at the same time - a paradox that is currently plaguing developed countries like the UK. At the end of the day, the more important question is what we are eating rather than how much we are eating. Unfortunately, over-processing of foods and stripping them of nutritional values in order to make them conform to a longer shelf life has become common. Busy lifestyles, hectic schedules and stress have driven consumers to look for foods that satisfy hunger – but they do not necessarily nourish your body. It's also appealing to buy ready-to-eat foods that do not involve effort and time. Such foods often contain large amounts of chemicals, flavourings and preservatives that disrupt the natural functions of our bodies. Many chemicals interfere with the functions of minerals that are vital to our health and wellbeing. The sad truth is that such meals are not only nutrition-deficient but actually harm your body in different ways. Eating nutritionally inadequate foods over prolonged periods of time can cause a multitude of diseases that can interfere with your job, health and happiness. Making healthy food choices can help us enjoy good health and improve our immunity to disease. Here are five good reasons to learn about nutrition and why it's important to our lives: * Good nutrition boosts immunity – It explains why some people fall sick more frequently than others. It fortifies your body against the onset of disease and helps you live a better life. * It helps you enjoy sharper concentration, better memory and even moods. A well-nourished individual is less likely to be vulnerable to mental conditions like depression, confusion or mood swings. Nutrition affects not only our physical wellbeing but also plays an important part in mental and emotional wellbeing. * One of the most important factors is our energy levels. High energy levels help us enjoy a wide variety of activities every day while low energy levels leave us feeling fatigued and low. Low energy levels can also reduce social or physical activities. * Good nutrition is crucial for optimal weight management. Weight loss is not about cutting down food and following starvation diets in order to chop off kilos. This will only lead to weakness and other health issues. Good nutrition involves consuming the right kind of food rather than depriving your body of what it needs. * Making healthy food choices is an important contributing factor for longevity. It does not determine longevity on its own but it's definitely an advantage. Absence of disease and a strong body help enjoy people the prospects of a longer, healthier life. It's unfortunate that commercial considerations are taking precedence over quality of nutrition. Foods that are packaged attractively and promise dubious benefits are gaining popularity over good old fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry. There is also information overload regarding foods, diets and choices, and there seems to be conflicting information everywhere you turn. This makes it even more important that we learn about the science of nutrition and how each nutrient affects our bodies and the benefits that it offers. It's a good idea not to follow faddy diets blindly without understanding what such diets do to body mechanisms. This is particularly important in today's Britain where weight loss and stereotype body types are flaunted on billboards, TV and the Internet. Adolescents and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to social pressure and often compromise on health and wellbeing in the process. Instead of enjoying the benefits, you may experience a host of adverse effects that interfere with your life on a daily basis. Every nutrient, big and small, has its own importance in our diets. We need to increase our intake of certain nutrients and decrease our consumption of certain foods in order to bring about balance. In order to fully comprehend your own state of health, it's important to appreciate that we truly are what we eat. Choosing to eat foods that are good for you has far-reaching consequences as nutrients often work silently to provide a host of unseen benefits. There are a multitude of complex processes going on inside our bodies to boost immunity, maintain important biological functions and promote wellbeing and vitality. Selecting healthy foods and cooking nutritious meals helps you and your loved ones enjoy improved health and a reduced likelihood of sickness. Illness is not only a drain on monetary sources, it also impacts every area of our lives: our jobs, family life and mental wellbeing. Nutrition is a crucially important subject in the home, schools, colleges, offices and hospitals. Nutritional requirements can vary across groups of people depending on different factors including age, gender, lifestyle and health condition. As the old (but very relevant) cliché goes, prevention is better than cure so it's much better to invest in our health for improved outcomes. Obesity, anorexia, heart disease, malnutrition due to voluntary starvation and increased cases of mental stress disorders are all causes of concern in the UK. Special sections of the population including teenagers and elderly people are at higher risk of developing health disorders due to inadequate nutrition. It's important to begin implementing good practices right from the start. This way, children also begin to understand that good nutrition is the most important investment that you can make in yourself.