
NUTRITION
Nutrition is how food affects the health of the body.
Food is essential—it provides the fuel needed for
survival, and helps the body function and stay
healthy. Food is comprised of macronutrients.
Macronutrients consist of protein, carbohydrates
and fat. These three groups not only offer calories
to fuel the body and give it energy but play specific
roles in maintaining health. Food also supplies
micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) that don’t
provide calories for the body, but serve a variety of
critical roles to ensure the body operates as
efficiently as possible.
Protein: Found in meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soy,
beans and legumes. Protein provides the body with
amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of
proteins that are needed for growth, development,
as well as repair and maintenance of body tissues.
Protein provides structure to muscle and bone,
repairs tissues when damaged and helps immune
cells fight inflammation and infection.
Carbohydrates: The main role of a carbohydrate is to provide energy and fuel for the body the same way gasoline fuels a car. Foods such as corn, beans, plantains, rice, potatoes and other root vegetables such as yucca, bread and fruit deliver sugars or starches that provide carbohydrates for energy.

