What is nutrition? Put simply, it is the food and drink which we need to feed our cells and keep them functioning.

From food and drink we get nutrients which are used by the body to repair and build tissue. When you don’t eat adequately or with a healthy approach to food, you can become malnourished (Health and Wellbeing QLD 2018).

There is so much information available on diet and health that it can be confusing.   The best analogy I have heard is that your body is like a prestige car engine – if you put poor- or low-quality fuel in its tank, the car will not run to its full capacity.   Similarly, if you put poor or low health quality foods in your body, it will not function to its full potential and malfunctions can occur.

Don’t think about diets but instead think about making healthy choices for your body so it functions efficiently and gives you the energy to do more and feel better.

Inadequate nutrition, or a poor diet, is strongly associated with many chronic diseases in the modern world.  We are talking about heart disease, lung disease, reproductive problems, overweight and obesity as well as some cancers. These diseases are often able to be treated by modern medicine but in reality, some might cause a reduction in quality of life.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention research says that we can live longer and also lower our risk of non-communicable health issues by eating a healthy diet plus exercising.

Genetics do play a big role in longevity, however, with the introduction of processed and fast foods over the last fifty years, the diet and health of humanity is deteriorating.  So, if we start to really think about how to consume foods which nourish the body and ensure it thrives as we grow older, as well as keeping physically active, the chances of still being well and active in later life are increased.

Take a look at the image which indicates the amounts and types of food we should be looking to consume on a regular basis – this is not saying you cannot have your favourite foods but suggesting they be limited.

Every month we will look at ways to make healthy food choices and provide your body with the fuel it requires to function optimally. Next month we will look at understanding food labels.

Kim@Health x Food Nutrition