Nutrients You Need

There are 40 different nutrients you need to keep your body healthy. Healthy eating means that you need to eat a number of these nutrients every day. It may be difficult to remember what you have eaten, and what you still need to eat to maintain your healthy nutrient intake. It's easier remember them if we categorize them into groups:

• water:
everyone needs water to live a healthy life. Without water, we quickly become dehydrated, and eventually die. You lose water when you sweat and through daily bodily functions, so water must be replenished. Drinking six to eight glasses a day is recommended. Water is found in food as well as in drinks, so you can get your six to eight glasses by eating foods, particularly fruits;

• proteins are in foods such as meat, eggs, and soy products. They provide the amino acids needed to build muscle tissue as well as help make some of the hormones in our bodies:

• fats are primarily used for energy during intense activity, like exercising, and

• carbohydrates are primarily used for energy during less intense activities, like standing, sitting, and other movements.

Note: Both the fats and the carbohydrates that we eat in a day can be stored for later use as fat, so it is important to eat enough for energy. However it is extremely important to regulate your intake of fats and carbohydrates to make sure that it does not exceed the amount used up in supplying your body with energy. Otherwise, your weight will start to increase;

• vitamins and minerals are also important nutrients. You can get these from fruits, vegetables, milk, and most natural sources of food. Some foods, such as bread products and cereals can even be enriched so that we get more vitamins and minerals in our bodies. There are dozens needed regularly, such as iron, thiamine, vitamin C, and vitamin D. If you are eating a healthy diet, you can most likely get enough vitamins and minerals from your foods, but you can also take vitamin supplements to make sure that you are getting the right amounts you need to maintain body function. Supplements may also be available to help with other nutrients as well, so if you are worried, talk to your doctor about how you can be sure to be eating a healthy amount of nutrients.
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