Your body needs certain essential nutrients in order to be a healthy individual. Your body cannot produce these on its own, therefore must obtain them through the foods we eat. It is so important that we include these essential nutrients in our daily diet if we want to live healthy lives. These essential nutrients are broken up into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macronutrients are consumed in large amounts and include the primary aspects of our diet, protein, fats, and carbs. These macros provide our body with energy to get through each day. Micronutrients make up of vitamins and minerals, which our bodies only require smaller portions of. At Healthy Meals Direct, we provide nearly every essential nutrient in our meals to ensure the consumer is reaping the maximal benefits in every bite.
Macronutrients
Protein
Protein is essential for good health, as it not only provides the building blocks for every muscle in the body, but every bone, vital organ, and hair follicle in our body. Protein is made up of amino acids, which our body only produces a certain amount of, so it is vital we are getting our protein from our food each day for our body to function normally. Healthy sources of protein include eggs, meat, and fish, but can also derive from plant sources such as legumes, soy, and nuts.
Carbohydrates
Carbs have had a bad rep, as low-carb diet crazes are growing in popularity. Carbs are an essential aspect your diet and are necessary for overall health. Carbs act as the fuel that your body needs. They also help energize your brain and central nervous system and help protect against certain diseases. However, excess carb intake can be what adds to a larger waistline. A controlled, moderate intake of healthy carb sources help give you what your body needs. Whole grains act as a healthy carb source and an alternative to white bread or pasta and other unhealthy carbs.
Fats
Fats are an essential part of a healthy diet as they help support bodily functions such as cell building, blood clotting, vitamin, and mineral absorption. Although fats are high in calories, these are important calories that your body needs for energy. With the inclusion of healthy fat sources into your diet, this can aid in a decreased risk of heart disease and diabetes. It can also help improve brain function as well as balance your blood sugar levels. Healthy sources of unsaturated fat include nuts, seeds, fish, and vegetable oils.
Micronutrients
Vitamins
Vitamins help to ward off diseases and keep your body healthy overall. There are 13 essential vitamins that your body needs, these vitamins each play an important role in the body. If you lack the consumption of these vitamins, it can eventually cause diseases and health issues throughout the body. These vitamins are essential for the skin, bones and proper vision. They are also powerful antioxidants and can help fight off many cancers. Vitamin supplements are only necessary if you do not get enough of your vitamins through a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables or have issues with your digestive tract.
Minerals
Like vitamins, minerals also are important to maintain healthy bodily functions. Some common minerals such as calcium, iron, and zinc help build strong bones and teeth, keep your metabolism regulated, and help you to stay hydrated. These minerals also help to maintain healthy blood pressure, support red blood cells and support your immune system.
Water
About 62% of your body is made up of water. Water helps support every system in your body and is necessary for good health. Water helps to flush out toxins, act as a lubricant in your body, carries nutrients to cells, aids in digestion, and improves brain function and mood. Chugging water to make up for dehydration is not always the healthiest way to hydrate your body. It is best to hydrate through the day, taking small sips of water from the moment you wake up until you go to bed.
The Bottom Line
All the above essential nutrients are vital for normal body function and maintaining overall health. Having a good understanding of what your body needs daily is important for living a healthy life. Sometimes it can be hard to supply a meal that contains all the above nutrients. At Healthy Meals Direct on Long Island, N.Y. we help to make it easy and convenient for everyday people to get the essential nutrients they need in every meal. Contact us today if you are interested in receiving our delicious meals that contain all the essential macro and micronutrients your body needs to live healthily!