Understanding What Foods do

There are a ton of different components to food that do very different things for your body. If you have ever looked at the nutritional facts on the back of a food package then I am sure you are familiar with some of the different components that make up the foods that we eat. In this section we will go over a few of the most important food components so that you can understand how to build a diet that meets your needs and goals.

The first type of food we will go over is Protein. Protein is a component in food that helps build and repair muscle tissue as well as provide energy to us when needed. If you are trying to put on muscle, then protein along with weight training are going to be very important aspects in achieving this. If you are trying to put on muscle a good rule of thumb is intaking .6-1 gram of protein for every pound of body weight every day will help you achieve your goals. For example, if you weigh 100 pounds you should be eating between 60 and 100 grams of protein every day.

The next food component we will go over is Carbohydrates. I know that when you hear the word carbs you probably think of it as a negative type of food and although certain carbs are bad for you, especially in excess, they are an important part of your diet. Carbs provide a majority of the energy that your body and mind use every day to accomplish tasks and stay alert. The important thing to remember is there are different types of carbs. There are complex carbs that are much more easily broken down and used like sweet potatoes, beans, whole grains and oats, and then there are simple carbs which are generally bad for your health in excess and harder for your body to break down. Examples of simple carbs are sugars, white bread, pasta, pastries, cake and a lot of those other foods that we love to overindulge in. Remember that carbs are a vital part of your diet but be careful what types you are putting into your body.

The last food component we will cover for now is fats. Fats are another term that I am sure you associate as bad for your health. However, fats are also essential in providing energy and warmth for your body and they also help your body absorb important nutrients. Fats are important to our health but just like carbs it is important that we make sure to focus on which type of fats we are putting in our body. Unsaturated fats such as nuts, seeds, olive oil, and avocados are a great way to get your daily fat content. On the other hand saturated fats like butter, cake, biscuits and bacon can raise your cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease and strokes.

Now that you understand a bit about what the different food components do for your body you can use this information to begin making a meal plan that fits your health goals.