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Getting the Nourishment You Need: Why a Wide Variety of Foods is Important for a Healthy Diet

NutrientsFromFood_Blog

 With so many fad diets and food trends out there, it can be hard to know where to start. The good news is that you don't need to overcomplicate things: eating a wide range of foods that include a variety of nutrients is the easiest way to have a healthy diet. Try to make sure to include in your diet proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, vitamins, and minerals, and you'll be well on your way to getting the nourishment you need.

Proteins
Proteins are essential for maintaining and repairing body tissues as well as producing hormones and enzymes.Screen Shot 2022-10-07 at 9.44.38 PM You can find proteins in animal sources such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. You can also get proteins from plant sources like beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and seeds. It’s important to eat proteins at every meal to ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are one of three macronutrients (the others being proteins and fats), and they're essential for providing your body with energy. There are two types of carbohydrates—simple and complex—and bothScreen Shot 2022-10-07 at 9.45.58 PM are found in a variety of foods like breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and milk products. Simple carbs are composed of one or two sugar molecules and are found in foods like table sugar, honey, some fruits, and processed snacks; complex carbs are composed of three or more sugar molecules and are found in foods like starchy vegetables (think potatoes and corn), legumes (peas and beans), whole grains (oats and brown rice), and some fruits (bananas). When choosing carbs, aim for complex carbs as they tend to be higher in fiber and nutrients than simple carbs.

Fats
Fats get a bad rap but they're actually an essential part of a healthy diet. Your body needs fat for energyScreen Shot 2022-10-07 at 9.46.59 PM production, insulation (keeping your internal organs warm), vitamin absorption (fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E & K need fat in order to be absorbed by your body), hormone production...the list goes on. You can find healthy fats in avocados , nuts & seeds , olive oil & other vegetable oils , fatty fish , etc. When it comes to fats, moderation is key—aim for 20-35% of your daily caloric intake coming from fat.

Water
Water is probably the most important nutrient on this list—after all, our bodies are made up mostly of water.Screen Shot 2022-10-07 at 9.47.29 PM Every cell in our bodies needs water to function properly which is why it's so important to make sure we're staying hydrated by drinking enough water every day. The recommendation is 8 cups/64 ounces per day but this will vary depending on individual factors like activity level , climate , etc.

Vitamins & Minerals
Vitamins & minerals are micronutrients that our bodies need in small amounts in order facilitate various biochemical reactions . You can find vitamins & minerals in a variety of foods—vitamin C in citrus fruits , betaScreen Shot 2022-10-07 at 9.47.50 PM carotene (vitamin A) in sweet potatoes , iron in leafy green vegetables — aim for a varied diet to ensure you're getting all the nutrients you need. 

Now that you know what nutrients are essential for a healthy diet, it's time to start incorporating them into your meals. Eating a variety of nutrient-rich foods is the easiest way to make sure that you're getting all the nutrients your body needs. Thanks for reading! :)

 

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