Nutrient-Rich Foods and Why They are Important For Adults.
Not only among children, but nutrient deficiency forms an important global health issue among adults. It is the most common cause of a depressed immune system and health problems. You may think nutrient deficiencies are a thing of the past, suffered only by sailors on long sea voyages. But even today, it is possible to lack some of the essential nutrients your body needs to function properly.
Therefore, one of the most important aspects of being healthy and having a long life is proper nutrition. What we consume becomes our diet, and how healthy we are is largely determined by our diet.
Many of us assume we are sick and need to take medicine when we begin experiencing unexplained symptoms. However, these symptoms may be due to a lack of vital nutrients, which means they can be easily fixed by working more nutrient-rich foods into your diet or taking specific vitamins and supplements.
Keep reading for more information about what nutrient-rich foods are, their sources, and their importance to adults.
What are nutrients and what are nutrient-rich foods?
Nutrients are substances required by the body to perform its basic functions. They are necessary for producing energy, detecting and responding to environmental stimuli, movement, excreting wastes, respiration (breathing), growth, and reproduction.
Vitamins, minerals, protein, fats, water, and carbohydrates are essential nutrients needed by adults, although in different proportions.
Nutrient-rich (or nutrient-dense) foods are foods with a high nutrient content yet a low-calorie count. Vitamins, minerals, complex carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats are all found in nutrient-dense foods.
Nutrient-Rich Foods For Adults
Nutrient-rich foods for adults are usually low in starches, sodium, sugar, and bad fats. But they contain a lot of minerals, vitamins, a few calories, and other nutrients important for health, and getting them through food ensures the body can absorb them properly.
Major food sources that contain necessary nutrients for adults;
- Grains
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, poultry, fish, and beans
- Dairy and dairy substitutes
The amount of nutrient-rich foods you should eat as an adult depends on your daily calorie needs.
Importance Of Nutrient-Rich Foods For Adults
A person’s body cannot produce everything that it needs to function. Therefore, there are essential nutrients that people need to consume through dietary sources to maintain optimal health.
Nutrient-rich foods are important because;
- They help with weight management: people often associate weight loss and weight gain with poor nutrition, but eating nutrient-rich foods is the best way to go about maintaining a healthy weight and at the same time obtaining the necessary nutrients for healthy body function.
- Helps to strengthen the immune system: Essential vitamins and minerals are required for our immune system to function properly. Eating a healthy, varied diet keeps your immune system in top shape and protects you from infections and immunodeficiency problems.
- Protect you from chronic diseases: Poor nutrition and obesity are the root causes of many chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease. With one in every nine Singaporeans suffering from diabetes, the importance of proper diet is more important than ever. Using a nutrient-rich food-based diet plan as a preventative measure lowers the risk of acquiring other disorders like kidney failure.
- Delay the onset of aging: Tomatoes and berries (which are perfect food examples of vegetables and fruits), for example, can promote vigor and improve cognitive performance while also protecting your body from the consequences of aging.
Conclusion
Good nutrition is important, no matter what your age. It gives you energy and can help you control your weight. It may also help prevent some diseases, such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Some changes that can happen as you age can make it harder for you to eat healthily. But to stay healthy as you age, it is important to eat food that gives lots of nutrients without a lot of extra calories.
This is why as an adult, nutrient-rich foods are very important.
At Applied Home Health Network, our team of highly trained and skilled home makers, assist patients in gaining independence in the comfort of their homes. Our home making services include; medication reminders, housekeeping services, personal laundry, special diet, cooking and meal preparation.
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