All About Food

Food is an essential part of our lives. We cannot survive without a month of food! Many of us eat what we are given or take out some food at a restaurant or fast food location. Food in general is made of multiple nutrients, but also a large portion of it do not have any nutrients. The body needs these nutrients to operate well. If we don't eat properly then we get sick. The food that we eat provides our body with all the energy we need for our body to run. Actually 2/3 's of the energy from food goes to keeping our body in a normal state. It keeps the heart beating, keeps the body temperature constant, repairs our organs, and more. The other 1/3 is used for our physical activity. How many of us know exactly what the benefits are from eating vegetables and fruits and the answer to how much we should really eat each day. Here are some facts and reminders.

What are some of the benefits from eating vegetables and fruits?

- Spinach: It is a great source of calcium, vitamins, and iron. It also contains antioxidants, Vitamin K(which is essential for a healthy body and strong bones), and magnesium.

- Broccoli: It is in the same family as kale and cauliflower. Eating lots of cauliflower cna reduce the risk of cancer which is perhaps because it contains sulforaphane.

- Sweet Potatoes: They provide plentiful of vitamin A, C, and B-6 and can benefit people with diabetes.

- Beets: This vegetable is great for improving the health of the heart. It contains an antioxidant called alpha-lipoic acid that could be helpful for diabetic-nerve related problems.

- Carrots: They contain vitamin A which is essential for healthy eyesight and a report states that carrot juice extract may inhibit the growth of leukemia cells.

-Onion: It is within the allium vegetable group(including garlic) that contains sulfur compounds. Onions provide multiple vitamins and manganese.

-Apple: This fruit is high in pectin fibre and boosts metabolic levels. It also regulates body's blood sugar levels and are full of vitamins and minerals.

-Strawberries: They have plentiful of vitamins, minerals, and a high water content. A study shows that having more strawberries and blueberries(have high anthocyanin content) could potentially lower the risk of an heart attack.

-Banana: This fruit is rich in potassium, which helps main fluid levels in the body and regulates nutrient and waste movement of cells. It can also help muscles contract.

-Guava: These fruits are rich with vitamin C, antioxidants, and lycopene that are good for skin. It also has a lot of manganese(allows the body to absorb other nutrients from the food we eat).

How Much Should I Eat?