Understanding Nutrition
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the form of the new food pyramid, I still find that many people don't actually understand what nutrition actually means. Because of this, dietary choices can seem overwhelming. Even greater confusion can be generated by prime time news specials which only strive to educate through clever sound-bites and diet fads which lead some to believe that all of their answers are found in one single "magic food." So what is nutrition and how can you understand it in a way that helps you apply it to your life and to the benefit of those you know and love? Here's an analogy I have found helpful in teaching those who attend my free Sunday Night Wellness Call. Your body functions in a manner similar to a car assembly plant. At that plant, a steady stream of new parts, the correct parts and parts in the right ratios to each other are absolutely necessary in order to keep that plant open for business and running smoothly. What would happen if someone in purchasing forgot to provide that plant with steering wheels? The cars would be almost functional. But because of a single part deficiency, that car would not be able to carry out its intended function. If this only happened to a few cars, it probably wouldn't be a big deal. You wouldn't see any symptoms of a parts deficiency. But what if that plant had no steering wheels for an entire month? How about year? First the plant would probably close, the community would fail. Good people would move away and the "bad elements" would most likely take over the town. The lack of balanced parts would eventually lead to dire conditions. What happens when the cells of your body are missing parts? You eat to provide your cells with nourishment. It's not just about calories. That nourishment is the collection of parts every cell in your body needs to function properly. You provide your cells with parts and those parts are assembled according to instructions in your DNA to create a variety of finished products. That could include new cells, of which there are many kinds, anti bodies to fight disease, neurotransmitters to carry signals between nerves, and hormones to regulate your body. So again, there are beneficial raw materials in foods, which our bodies use, and need, to carry out vital cellular functions. These functions keep us alive. These functions combat disease. These functions allow us to heal. These functions allow our cells to build new cells and all of the other finished materials that are necessary for normal life and optimal health. And these raw materials are called nutrients. We eat to give our body access to nutrients. Sadly, our food does not contain the nutrients it once had in abundance, so it is necessary to supplement a good diet with quality nutritional supplementation to ensure that our cells do not suffer from a parts deficiency. We should still strive to have a good diet, from as many whole foods as possible, with supplementation being a means to supplement, not substitute, the benefits of a good diet. Dave Saunders is a certified nutritional educator, wellness coach,member of the American International Association of Nutritional Education (AIANE) and author. He is also the host of a weekly, nation-wide telephone lecture on health and nutrition. For additional information, please visit http://www.glycoboy.com or http://www.glycowellness.com or email Dave at dave@glycoboy.com>
MORE RESOURCES:
Stressed out execs seek relief in YogaEconomic Times, India - 13 hours agoCorporates too are becoming proactive and invite yoga consultants to hold workshops and classes in offices. “Such activities help build a good working ... |
Yoga For YouHonolulu Star-Bulletin, HI - 12 hours agoRay Madigan and Shelley Choy are certified Iyengar yoga teachers and co-direct the Manoa Yoga Center. Address questions to them at Manoa Marketplace, ... |
Yoga, gym to de-stress Indian CEOsKhabrein.info, India - 6 hours agoChennai, Oct. 12: With the world on the edge of recession, Indian chief executive officers (CEOs) have taken to yoga to beat stress and restlessness, ... |
All yoga is HinduismWatertownDailyTimes.com, United States - 15 hours agoRegarding the article "Massena yoga program is stalled" (Oct. 2), it continually amazes many Hindus how uneducated (to put in mildly) many are concerning ... |
Yoga - Google News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Nutrition N Diet
Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because just about all of the consumable products purchased today from drinks to desserts have labels listing important nutrition information. Nutrition facts that can be found on any number of products will include serving size, servings per container, calories per serving, total fat, calories from fat, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, sodium, cholesterol, potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, sugars and protein amounts.
Pineapples: The Healing Fruit Of The Tropics (Includes A Recipe For Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie)
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family.
Focus On Fiber: How Much Is Enough?
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality and improve your overall well-being? Try eating more fiber! The average American only gets about half the amount of fiber they need everyday for their body to function optimally. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), fiber helps lower cholesterol and is important for the health of our digestive system.
Dietary Guideline USA
Are you sick and tired of the confusion about our dietary guideline? Don't do this, do that, no not this, lose weight this way and on and on. Too much fat, more of this and it goes on and on and on.
The Toxic Truth About Artificial Sweeteners
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any nutrients so when you consume too much you crowd out room for healthier foods. In fact, it is estimated that on average, Americans consume over 200 pounds of refined sugar annually.
Tips to Avoid Trans Fats Hidden In Food
Recently, trans fats have risen to the forefront of the nutrition world. It is not uncommon on a regular visit to the grocery store to see a wide range of products advertising themselves as being "trans fat free".
What about Potassium?
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document report 264 you'll life should be changed forever. You're going to discover that the biggest fallacy most people aren't aware of is that if we eat a balanced diet, (the four food groups), we get all the nutrients we need to stay healthy and live a long life.
5 Tips for Dining Out and Eating Healthily
Here's food for thought! Did you know the average restaurant mealhas over 1,000 calories? That's enough to blow any healthy eatingplan. Fortunately, by following a few simple guidelines, you candine out without having to sacrifice good taste and nutrition.
Autism and Nutritional Supplements
Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large percentage of the United States population suffers from nutritional deficiency. Studies show, 30% of the general population has a marginal level of Vitamin C and 15% are Vitamin C deficient.
Crave Sweets? On the Weight & Mood Roller Coaster? Perhaps Its More Than You Think!
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG TIME on the addictive nature of carbohydrates (sweets, breads, deserts) in the human body. Blood sugar-handling problems promote arteriosclerosis (plaque in the arteries), adult-onset diabetes, mood swings, weight problems, chronic fatigue, PMS and much more.
The Crucial Role of the Salt in Our Health
Salt is vital for our health. Right now, you have around 250 gr.
Discover Which Fruit and Vegetables Help Relieve Arthritic Pain
If you or someone you know suffers from rheumatoid arthritis, youknow how painful and debilitating it can be. If you haven'twalked a mile in those shoes, you can't imagine how frustratingit can be.
The Portfolio Diet: The Solution to Heart Disease
What if there was a combination of foods that were as effective at lowering LDL cholesterol as prescription drugs? Would it be worth adding some new foods to what you eat each day to avoid medication?This is what the latest in a series of research studies Dr. Jenkins from the University of Toronto shows.
Fat Burning Compatible Foods
Fat burning compatible foods seem to be a popular topic around the gym these days. We also hear a lot about negative calorie foods which are considered a part of fat burning compatible foods.
Beauty Foods That Will Keep You Young and Healthy
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within. Well, now nutritional experts have confirmed that you really are what you eat.
Whatever Happened to the Basic Four Food Groups?
What Ever Happened to the Basic FourThe USDA was originally given the conflicting task of educating the public on agricultural matters while simultaneously working with food producers to provide a reliable and consistent food supply. This has, over the course of time, led to our ever evolving dietary guidelines, and yet is the purpose of these guidelines for our health or to sell more food?Would You Believe There Were Once 12 Food Groups?The food guides during the 1930's were heavily influenced by The Great Depression and at that time included 12 separate groups!In 1956 the USDA produced the "Basic Four" food guide.
Eating Disorders Do Not Discriminate
Who suffers from Eating Disorders?Eating Disorder sufferers are male and female alike. We are of all ethnicity's, religions,and economic backgrounds.
Aging Gracefully with the Aid of Various Nutrients
During the past thirty years there has been a steadily growing amount of scientific evidence linking vitamins and minerals to having a direct effect in protecting one's self from aging. Apart from the usual health benefits that we can receive from having adequate amounts of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in our body, it's also a highly appealing note to include that being healthy inside will actually reflect on how we look like on the outside.
Herbs that Heal Naturally
The word herb is used to refer to any part of a plant used for flavoring or medicine. Herbs for relaxation so sleep will come, and relieving pain or water retention have the welcome plus of being void of the side effects that come with chemical medications.
Omega 3, Close to A Medical Miracle of our Century
OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical Miracle in our Century! Omega 3, The Good Fat, Is on your side, they contribute to your good health. They are also a big part of Dr Barry Sears Zone Diet.
|
