What fills our plates and powers our bodies has gone from being a mundane aspect of our daily lives to being of paramount concern. It has become important because it impacts how we feel every day and how well our bodies can fight off diseases. To stay healthy, we need to make sure we are getting all the essential nutrients from our diet. World Nutrition Day 2024 aims to remind us how important these nutrients are for our health. This day has emerged as an important occasion that aims to put the spotlight on this important aspect of human health. It’s all about balancing your diet while ingesting the essential nutrients that you will learn about in this article.
Read also: 6 immune-boosting foods you can easily get at home
When is World Nutrition Day celebrated?
World Nutrition Day is celebrated around the world every year on May 28. This special day is recognized by the Spanish Federation of Nutrition, Food and Dietetic Societies (FESNAD), which calls it “Dia Nacional de la Nutricion” in Spanish.
Significance of World Nutrition Day 2024:
World Nutrition Day 2024 is an important reminder of the importance of healthy eating, with the United Nations setting aside a special date from 2016 to 2025 to highlight the importance of proper nutrition.
Balance your diet:
Renowned nutritionist Pooja Makhija likens our body to a car, which needs the right fuel to function well. She talks about five key nutrients that our body needs – carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. She says that from within these groups, we can choose wisely by opting for whole grains, lean meats, healthy fats and lots of fruits and vegetables.
Our bodies need large amounts of macronutrients.
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The essential nutrients needed in your daily diet are:
Being healthy isn’t just about eating a lot of one food, it’s about getting a balanced intake of everything your body needs. But sometimes we focus too much on certain nutrients and forget about others that are just as important. Nutrition expert Rupali Datta explains that nutrients can be broadly categorized into two groups: macronutrients and micronutrients.
Macronutrients:
These are the main nutrients that our body requires in large quantities: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. These form the basis for classifying different foods based on their main nutrient content.
1. Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are our main source of energy and are essential for nourishing the brain and supporting muscle function. In addition, the fiber they contain contributes to digestive and heart health and helps prevent diabetes.
See alsoFact check: Carbohydrate-rich foods are good for you, here’s the list
2. Protein: Essential for maintaining body structure and function, protein plays a variety of roles in the body, from immune defense to enzyme regulation. Click here for a list of protein-rich foods you should definitely add to your diet.
3. Healthy Fats: Healthy fats act as insulators and protectors for vital organs and also contribute to important bodily functions such as regulating blood clotting and reducing inflammation. Choosing healthy fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats is recommended to maintain overall health. Here are some foods that contain healthy fats you should know about:
Micronutrients:
These are essential elements that are required in small amounts but are vital for disease prevention and overall health. Vitamins and minerals make up the two main categories of micronutrients.
1. Vitamins:
These organic compounds play important roles in growth, immune function and disease prevention. Vitamin-rich foods contribute to overall health.
- Vitamin C supports antioxidant defense and collagen (skin protein) synthesis. This vitamin plays an important role in building immunity.
- B vitamins are thought to contribute to functions such as energy production.
- Vitamins A, D, E and K are important for eye health, bone strength, tissue and organ formation, prevent blood clotting and support immune function.
2. Minerals: Minerals, inorganic substances obtained from soil and water, are essential for many bodily functions, including bone health, enzyme activity, and hormone regulation.
Essentially, World Nutrition Day 2024 is a reminder to eat a balanced diet that is rich in all essential nutrients.
