Nutrition | Definition ,Types, Sources, Macro vs Micro Nutrients

Nutrition

What is nutrition?

Starting from a definition by WHO,

‘Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs. Good nutrition – an adequate, well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity – is a cornerstone of good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to disease, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity.’

In simple words, what we eat, is classified into majorly two categories: -

Macro and Micro nutrients; these are required by our body to do our daily routine.

For example, if we look into our body composition, it is made up of:

Water	Protein	Fat-Carbs-Fiber	Vitamins & Minerals
62%	18%	14%	6%

After Water, what our body requires; more quantity of protein for basic functions. a myth to be busted here, that only bodybuilders need protein. In fact every individual needs protein for day-to-day activities

After protein, come Fats (Good Ones), then Carbs, then Fiber, then Vitamins and minerals. And all these from a good source.

Know about Source of Nutrition, Phytonutrients, Traditional Ayurveda Herbs, Protein here...

Types of Nutrition

Broadly classifies there are three types of nutrition:

• Macro
• Micro
• Phytonutrient

Macro Nutrients:

These are those types of nutrients which are required by our body in larger quantity. These are Proteins, Carbohydrates (Carbs), Fat, Fiber.

Body needs every nutrient mentioned above in more quantity than Micro nutrient.

For all the basic functioning of our body i.e., for each of our body part – eyes, brain, heart, kidney, stomach, intestine, legs and arms functioning we need Macro nutrient.

Micro Nutrients:

These are those types of nutrients which are required by our body in less quantity in comparison to Macro nutrients. These are Vitamins & Minerals.

You must be thinking then why we need Micro?

It is because without vitamins and minerals the Macro won’t work at all.

For example, if we talk about Vitamin B, the main work of vitamin B is converting food to fuel. So if we intake Macro, to digest it or to convert it into fuel or to make it useful in our body, we need Vitamin B which is a Vitamin.

Without Micro nutrient, Macro is of no use.

Phyto Nutrients:

Nutrients from Plant, Fruits and vegetables are termed as
Phytonutrients. <--- Check here for more information.

Sources of Nutrition:

Good and Bad are the two sources of nutrition. What we eat has a source, what interesting thing is that, most of the time we knows that, which one is good or bad.

Homemade food are considered to be healthy (Good source), and the Junk Food is considered to be unhealthy (Bad source).

No.	Good Nutrition (sources)	Vs	Bad Nutrition (sources)
1	Fruits	1	Stored & Processed Food
2	Vegetables	2	Polished Pulses
3	Plants	3	Refined Flour
4	Oils (Mustard & Olive)	4	Chemically farmed products e.g. Milk, Vegetables, Fruits etc.

Let’s take an example of Burger, we know how delicious it is. Let’s get into its composition.

	Burger (Veg or Non Veg)
No.	Ingredients	Category
1	Chicken/Cheese/Paneer	Protein
2	Sauces	Fat
3	Lettuce/ Salad (Cucumber, Onion, etc.)	Fiber; & Vitamins & Minerals
4	Bun/ Bread	Carbohydrates (Carbs)

Wow, our Burger comes under Balanced Diet!!!  Wait what about its Source?

Oh no, it comes under Bad source...

Why Burger is Bad for you?

No.	Category	Veg	Non-Veg
1	Protein	7.90g	12.80g
2	Carbs	45.00g	46.20g
3	Fat	11.70g	12.80g
4	Calories (kcal)	316.70 kcal	351.20 kcal

*All the values are approx. values, Taken on basic Burger and can differ on Brands or Choices or Recipes.

Not only Burger, but Pizza, Pasta, Garlic Breads, etc., are on the same list.

Have a look on what you eat...Because what you eat is what you becomes.

Know Secrets-Be Healthy