Why is Nutrition so Important?

It is difficult in these modern times to find the time to eat properly and far too often we find ourselves eating on the run, grabbing a burger and chips or a pre-packed sandwich, both of which have very low or no nutritional value and provide no health benefits whatsoever. Therefore our health suffers, as does our mental and emotional well- being.
The importance of proper nutrition cannot be underestimated. The body needs the correct balance of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and sugars to function correctly. Unfortunately, the food that we consume, more often than not, does not provide enough of these essential ingredients, leaving us susceptible to ill health through a weakened immune system. This is especially so when our diet consists of ready meals and take away food, which not only lack any nutritional value but are full of chemicals, synthetic hormones, saturated fats and other unhealthy ingredients.
Many illnesses are caused by a lack of nutrition, so it is safe to say that many cures for these illnesses can be found by the intake of a healthy balanced diet and nutritional support. You should eat as much fresh fruit and vegetables as you can, including raw vegetables, and where possible these should be organic. If it is not possible to obtain organic produce, always wash fruit or vegetables thoroughly and ensure they are as fresh as possible. Try to find a local farmers market, this way you are guaranteeing the freshness and quality of the produce. Be sure to eat different combinations of fruit each day to maximise your vitamin and mineral intake. But be careful which fruits you combine, hard fruits such as apples and bananas can be eaten together and can also be combined with cereals, oats and wholegrain bread. Soft fruits such as strawberries, plums and nectarines should be eaten alone and at least half an hour before any other food. This is because soft fruit digests much more quickly than hard fruit and if these different types of fruit are combined it can cause digestive problems.
You must also ensure you eat enough of the other food types such as eggs and cheese which are full of protein. Eat wholegrain bread and cereals for fibre, and if you’re a meat eater then eat lots of oily fish for all the essential omega oils and lean white meat for protein but limit your intake of red meat to once or twice a week. All meat should be organic. The quality of the meat greatly depends on the diet of the animal so it is very important to eat organically reared meat products. If you’re a vegetarian then eat plenty of nuts, seeds, dried fruits and pulses which will give the same essential nutrients as meat.
It takes a conscious effort on our part to really think about what we are putting into our bodies and how this can affect not only our health but our mood and behaviour. For example, if you suffer from depression or are constantly tired, you may be low on B vitamins. Or if you suffer from a lack of concentration or memory loss, you may be low on the essential amino acids or omega oils the brain needs to function correctly. Likewise if you suffer from aching joints or stiffness you may be lacking in calcium and so on. These are just examples of how a vitamin or mineral deficiency can affect your health. The good news is that these issues can easily be resolved. It is possible to visit a nutritionist and take a test to determine which vitamins and minerals are deficient and they will then advise on the best course of action for you. If you don’t wish to do this the I suggest taking a high potency multi vitamin, quality is essential, do not buy the cheapest ones you can find, ensure they are good quality with a higher percentage than the RDA. Cut out all unhealthy food from your diet, just what’s good for you and nothing else, within 2 weeks you will notice the difference. This should keep you motivated and you will not want to eat an unhealthy meal ever again.

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