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.