Nutrition data is readily available; for instance, you can access federal guidelines issued for public information and read the labels on food packages. Online sites and books of advice abound. There is more information than anyone can absorb. Both conventional and alternative views vie for attention and the money that consumers spend on food and supplements.
If you are just beginning a study of good food choices, the federal guidelines are not a bad place to start. You will get an overview of conventional wisdom about minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, calories, protein, fats, and fiber. The human body is very efficient if given the nutrients it needs; a good diet is the foundation of health.
One complication is that not everyone is the same. Food that sustains one person might give another an allergy attack or gastric distress. Regularity might be usual for one person, who needs little fiber, while another might struggle for proper elimination no matter how much whole food is consumed.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
This is why it pays to know what ingredients are in your food and where it comes from. Produce grown in other countries might have a higher pesticide content - but not necessarily. Exotic fruits and vegetables probably will be picked before full ripeness, and long shipping times can lessen the food value considerably.
Advice books on weight control, energy, mental alertness, and more abound, each with a point of view. One says to eat whole wheat bread you make yourself, and others that say you should never eat the grain in any form. Some books promote high protein, others say that a small number of almonds contain all the protein you need for one day.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
If you are just beginning a study of good food choices, the federal guidelines are not a bad place to start. You will get an overview of conventional wisdom about minimum daily requirements of vitamins and minerals, calories, protein, fats, and fiber. The human body is very efficient if given the nutrients it needs; a good diet is the foundation of health.
One complication is that not everyone is the same. Food that sustains one person might give another an allergy attack or gastric distress. Regularity might be usual for one person, who needs little fiber, while another might struggle for proper elimination no matter how much whole food is consumed.
If a person has a sensitivity or an allergy to certain foods, they will probably be unable to absorb nutrients from that food. In fact, a severe case can mean that a person can eat a lot but actually suffer from malnutrition. Some processed food has too much sodium, an overload of preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, and are loaded with fat or sugar.
This is why it pays to know what ingredients are in your food and where it comes from. Produce grown in other countries might have a higher pesticide content - but not necessarily. Exotic fruits and vegetables probably will be picked before full ripeness, and long shipping times can lessen the food value considerably.
Advice books on weight control, energy, mental alertness, and more abound, each with a point of view. One says to eat whole wheat bread you make yourself, and others that say you should never eat the grain in any form. Some books promote high protein, others say that a small number of almonds contain all the protein you need for one day.
The best thing you can do is to find reputable sources of nutrition data, experiment with the advice, and see what works best for you. It is important to decide on a balanced diet that gives you all the nutrients you need from foods that work with your digestive system and metabolism. Don't be discouraged; the subject is interesting and it is possible to find your way through the maze.
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