The key to healthy living is a well-balanced diet. But what does that mean? It means eating a variety of nutritious foods each day that provide all the nutrients your body needs. There are three main groups of nutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Carbohydrates are found in fruits, vegetables and grains. Fats can be saturated or unsaturated (there’s more about those below). Protein comes from meat products, dairy products, nuts and beans.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main source of energy for your body. They’re found in foods like bread, pasta, rice and potatoes; cereal grains like wheat and corn; starchy vegetables such as pumpkin or sweet potatoes; legumes (beans) and some fruits. Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose (also known as blood sugar) which is used by your body for energy.
Glycogen is stored in the liver and muscles for later use when you need an extra boost of energy during exercise or other strenuous activity – this means that if you eat too many carbs then excess glycogen may be stored as fat on your body!
Fats
Fats are an important part of the human diet, Dr Lauren Papa but we need to be careful about which kinds we eat. Saturated fats and trans fats are known to increase the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, on the other hand, help lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation in your body. The best sources of these good-for-you fats include nuts, seeds (like pumpkin or sunflower), avocado (yes! it’s a fruit) or fish like salmon or mackerel that contain omega-3 fatty acids–a type of polyunsaturated fat found naturally in foods like seafood.
Protein
Protein is an important nutrient that helps build and repair body tissues, says Dr Lauren Papa. It’s found in meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products. Protein also provides energy when you combine it with carbs or fat.
Proteins are made up of amino acids – the building blocks of life! Some proteins contain all eight essential amino acids (which means they can be used by your body for growth and development), while others do not contain all eight but do have some of them. Dr Lauren Papa Proteins that contain all eight are called complete proteins; those that don’t are incomplete proteins..
