Importance of Food
A Lovely Monday Morning to you all!
Do you know………. Food is much more than providing nutrition to our body. Food is a part of our upbringing. Food is a part of our culture. Food is what we are. Food is how we interact and negotiate with
Healthy Food Pyramid
others, many important issues are being resolved during business luncheon and dinner meetings, in all the celebrations (any type of festival, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and even in funerals), food remains the main focus. All over the world from a village to modern cities, sharing food and feeding guests, is a sense of sharing friendship and showing gratitude.
Food is a basic necessity for the energy that our body requires to adequately perform the daily metabolic, hormonal, mental, physical, chemical functions. At the same time, our habit of eating unhealthy food is the culprit and intricately associated with some of the chronic diseases; cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and low immunity. It’s pretty difficult to change our eating habits that is ingrained within us from our childhood, though it could be accomplished with practice and effort. It’s shocking that obesity rate among children (as well as in adults too) is growing all over the world and one of the key factor, the increasing trend of Junk Food, that contains sugar, salt, fats, together with bad food habits. In addition, with the increasing onset of food delivery apps, etc., people now like having junk food more as it’s easier than cooking your own meal and is some what tastier too.
Now, what is good food and what is bad food (Please consult a trained licensed food nutritionist for your diet evaluation)? It’s very easy to get overwhelmed with all types of advertised diets (Paleo diet, Mediterranean diet, Atkins diet, Low GI diet, Japanese diet, etc., etc.) and be confused in finding the adequate one for your body type. It could become restrictive as to the portion size, quality, caloric intake, etc. The terms ‘food’ and ‘nutrition’ are sometimes used synonymously, which is not right. There are mainly two categories (I am not categorizing into; dairy, poultry, fish, fruits, grains, etc.)of food:
Vegetarian food: these include all plant based food; fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products; milk, butter, yogurt, cheese.
Non-Vegetarian food: these include all meat and meat products; chicken, turkey, fish, squid lamb, goat, pig, cow, etc.
Food is a composite mixture of five basic ingredients and water that we consume every day to stay healthy, active and productive.
Protein
Carbohydrate
Fat
Vitamins
Minerals and
Water
Protein: builds, maintains and repairs the body’s muscle, blood, skin, hair, bones and other tissues, organs in the body. Eg: Meat, eggs, dairy and fish, nuts, seeds (Pumpkin, Sunflower).
Carbohydrate: is main source of energy to the body. Carbohydrates can be classified into two kinds; starches and sugars. The common starch rich food include rice, maize, wheat and potatoes while food rich in sugars include fruits, honey, sugar, sweets, candies, chocolate bars, and sweet drinks.
Fat: this is also known as the body’s secondary source of energy. Fats are stored in the human body for energy and excess fat is more difficult to burn. It helps people survive through cold weather and contains more calories per gram than any other nutrient. Food rich in fats are oils, ghee, butter, lard, milk, cheese and some meat.
Vitamins and Minerals: sometimes called micronutrients, as only tiny amounts is needed by human body, but an essential organic compound required for good health. Good sources of vitamins are fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk and eggs. Minerals are needed for the maintenance of proper functions in the body like the transport of oxygen throughout the body, stimulating growth, normalizing the nervous system, build bones (Calcium), Blood (Iron) etc. Minerals can be found from a variety of food items such as, meat, cereals, bread, fish, milk and dairy products.
Water: It is popularly known as the”elixir of life”. The human body comprises of 55-78 % of water. It is required for the essential functioning of the various important parts of the human body.
We should try to change our attitude and thought process towards eating healthy. We should consume more plant based food, portion control, give priority and respect to our food i.e. take out time to properly sit and eat, give our gratitude to the Almighty to be graced with food. Besides, healthy food, which contains all the necessary ingredients, does not only impact our immunity, our physical health, but mental health also and reduce the chances of diseases. It keeps us away from the long-term illnesses that could create stress, anxiety, insomnia, and even relationship problems. In addition, healthy food helps us to save money. It is much cheaper to prepare our own desired dishes from our own purchased ingredients than ordering junk food from outside. Plus the love and care that goes into the preparation of healthy food with our own hands, is incomparable.
With the global Corona virus pandemic, I can’t end the article without mentioning about our immunity. We have to strengthen our immune system (Lymphatic System), that transport lymphatic fluid, containing infection-fighting white blood cells (Lymphocytes, which produce antibodies to kill the foreign bodies, microorganisms and stop infections from spreading) throughout the body. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system. To help the flow of lymphatic fluid all over the body, we have to keep moving using those Suksham Kriyas (micro exercises), that I mentioned in my last week’s (Mon., Apr. 27, 2020) blog and eat mindfully, healthy food to boost our immunity.
Few Suggestions for Building Healthy Habits:
In the morning, after waking up, can drink a full glass of lukewarm water with 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 lemon, or a glass of fresh vegetable juice.
For Breakfast, can have a banana or a cup of seasonal fresh fruits, some soaked almonds or any raw nuts-seeds, 1 cup low fat milk or black tea or herbal tea, 1-2 eggs, 2 slices of whole grain bread with a little butter, sprouts (Wheat, Mung beans, Alfalfa seeds and Soya beans, Red, Black or Bhite Chickpeas make excellent sprouts)
Om Healing………..Uma
(Founder of AromaWellness)
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