Working out is great and will surely help in burning the excess kilos that you may have. However, if we understand how the body breaks down different calorie sources and the effect that they have on our bodies; maybe…JUST MAYBE we can control the way we eat and workout in a better manner!
While we know there are different foods which are ‘KNOWN TO BE’ more fattening than others; the bottom line remains the same: ALL FOODS CONTAIN CALORIES! What we really need to understand is how differently our body breaks down or reacts to these calories.
Eating healthy is something we all struggle to do and very often in the bargain we tend to delay our fitness goals due to ‘too many cheat meals’ or ‘lethargy’. This nutritional component that we find in our food to survive & grow is referred to as nutrients.
To further break this down, nutrients are of two main types:
‘Macronutrients & Micronutrients.’
Both types play a critical role in repairing and building tissues, regulating body processes, and are converted to and used for energy. While macronutrients are known for being consumed in the largest quantity there are three primary types: proteins, fats and carbohydrates. There are three main types of macronutrients:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
While each component of macronutrients is known to provide calories; the amount that each one provides varies.
Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates, known to be the primary source of energy are ironically ALSO one of the main culprits of why we put on weight! Carbs are essentially high starch content food substances. That is why whenever we think of carbs, we usually think of BREAD, PASTA, POTATOES, BEANS, RICE and CEREALS. While carbs are essential for dietary requirement, there are also two main types: simple and complex (i.e. bad carbs and good carbs).
Proteins: Proteins, which are extremely important dietary components, refer to the main building blocks of the body. Proteins are essential for the organs, muscles, hair, nails, blood and growth. While many hormones may be referred to as proteins, the immune and digestive system rely on proteins to function correctly.
Fat: Fat, another important component of our dietary intake is also an essential part of our nutritional intake. However, our bodies require small amounts of ‘Good fat’ so as to function correctly and prevent diseases; but very often our modern diets contain too much of ‘bad fat’. So what is the main difference between these two? In other words, the two main types of fat are saturated fat (generally considered not so good for us) and unsaturated fat (generally considered better for us).
Micronutrients, on the other hand are comprised of vitamins and minerals; which are required in smaller quantities so as to ensure a healthy metabolic rate, for growth and for physical well being.
Vitamins are essential organic nutrients and are mainly obtained through food. There are mainly 13 vitamins that are known (today) which have specific functions in the body. These include vitamin A, pro vitamin A (Beta‐carotene), vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin K, niacin and pantothenic acid.
Minerals, which are inorganic nutrients that are also required in smaller quantities (as compared to macro-nutrients) so as to ensure a healthy metabolic rate, growth and physical well-being. Some of the essential minerals include race elements copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium and zinc together with the macro elements calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.
There is no SINGLE food which is known to contain all the essential ‘macro-nutrient’s’ and ‘micro-nutrients’ that are required by our body; but its is through a healthy combination of different food sources we can maintain a healthy diet.
Stay tuned to read the next post about carbohydrates and the difference between good and bad carbs!
