How Does the Food You Eat Affect Your Weight?
What Are the Benefits of Dietary Fiber? Food is any material consumed with the intent to provide nutrition to an organism. In the modern diet, food is typically of animal, plant or fungus origin, and includes required nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, or fats. Our body needs food to survive; therefore, it is very important that we meet our daily dietary needs in the most nutritious way possible.
Most people do not get enough food in their diet, and some even depend on food additives in order to meet their daily nutritional requirements. Unfortunately, these additives are artificial, man-made substances that are widely found in our food supply. Artificial food additives are categorized as vitamins, hormones, antibiotics, preservatives, and food additives. Each category has its own health, environmental, and nutrient values. This is why it is important to read food labels when shopping for food products.
One type of food additive is carbohydrate. Carbs provide energy for the body, but the calories contained in carbohydrate foods (including sugar) are converted into fat, making weight loss more difficult. Carbohydrate provides no nutritional value to the body, so it should be avoided by people who are trying to reduce their weight.
Another type of food is vitamin A. Vitamin A is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables, and is necessary for the formation of certain cell structures in the body. It helps to maintain good eyesight and strong bones. Although it is a vitamin that the body needs in small amounts, too much vitamin A can result in toxicity, especially if food is ingested in large quantities. People with a balanced vitamin A diet are less likely to develop cataracts or age faster.
Fats and short chain fatty acids are another type of food. These are called saturated and trans fats, and the longer chain they are, the more harmful to the body. Saturated fats in animal origin food can clog the arteries and raise blood cholesterol levels. Trans fats lead to higher blood pressure and heart disease. Both types of fat are necessary for good nutrition, but the type of fat that a food contains has more impact on health than the amount.
Unhealthy fats are usually saturated and trans fats. To avoid these, people should choose lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables over red meats, processed food, and spreads. Instead of eating large amounts of red meats, try cooking them, which will produce more fiber. Also, choose foods that are high in antioxidants, such as fruits and vegetables, which prevent free radical damage. Because carbohydrates are broken down into sugar, this provides energy to the body, but sugar also contributes to the formation of fat. The key to choosing the right nutrition food is to choose them in moderation, since large amounts of any nutrient can lead to weight gain and the development of various ailments.