Wealth to our Health
By: Claudia Sofía Tamayo Torres 10B
“There is no accounting for taste” is a commonly spoken expression used as an excuse by many to introduce to their bodies different types of, sometimes harmful food. However, in spite of the truthfulness of this saying, the fact that the most valuable possession that each of us has is one’s body should not be omitted; hence, it is a personal responsibility to take care of it since youth in order to maintain health in the future.
Nutrition is wealth to our health not only because it provides our body with what it needs and leads to an appropriate functioning but also, because it is harmless and does not interfere with any activity that we do.
Balanced nutrition is the perfect combination of the several types of foods that we should all include in our daily diet to maintain a healthy weight and therefore a vigorous body. It also takes into account specific individual conditions such as age, gender, physical activity, and health state, among others that perhaps define the right proportions of each type of food that each one should ingest. In general terms, a balanced diet should contain measured quantities of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and fats, vitamins, minerals, and water.
In addition of being tasty and tempting, carbohydrates or organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen, balance our weight, regulate sugar levels in our blood, and are the principal source of energy that our orga-
nism needs. They are classified in simple carbohydrates, which include both Monosaccharides and Disaccharides;
and complex carbohydrates (Polysaccharides). These delicacies can be beneficial, salutary and positive, or poten-
tially harmful to our bodies depending on their fiber richness and on if they are refined and processed or complete-
ly natural. Experts recommend the consumption of both, the harmful like honey, white sugar, and other sweet plea-
sures in a strictly moderated manner; and especially the advantageous, either in the form of simple carbohydrates
such as fruits and vegetables or as complex ones like pasta, wholegrain bread, rice, legumes, and cereals.
Proteins, which are composed by important organic compounds called aminoacids, are also basic to our health because help in the construction and maintenance of our organism by boosting a variety of processes like the strengthening of the muscles, the thickening and repair of the hair, and the invigoration of the heart. By
virtue of their animal and plant origin, they are appetizing for people with different gastronomic tastes and eating styles. For example, meat, fish, poultry, and milk products are wealthy in proteins and are totally recommended for a balanced nutrition. Additionally, grains, nuts, fruits, vegetables, quinoa, and soy are derived from plants and contain a large number of aminoacids valuable for our bodies (even though it is a much less quantity than the one contained in animal proteins). As too much of everything ends up being dangerous, it is important not to exceed in the consumption of the delicious protein-rich foods in order to prevent unwanted calcium elimination, overcharge in the liver, kidneys and intestine, and a detrimentally slow digestive process.
One of the most feared food groups, which I assure a huge percentage of the population worldwide has tried to avoid when wanting to lose some weight, is the Fats and Lipids. Usually this happens because most of the people do not know that as well as there exist prejudicial saturated and trans fats that increase levels of cholesterol in the blood and that can lead to obesity, atherosclerosis, and even cancer, there are also many lipids (poly and monounsaturated) not only harmless but also essential for our health. Therefore, in the interest to absorb more vitamins, regulate metabolism, have a better vision and an improved coagulation system, it is necessary to stop avoiding nutritious fats found in nuts, avocado, blue fish, soy, olive oil, and seeds, and to, if not abstain from eating noxious lipids contained in chocolates, margarines, coconut oil, and fried or fast foods, at least reduce their consumption.
Something that we should surely not stop consuming is water; it is necessary for nutrient and waste transport, temperature regulation, and mineral absorption, among others. Scientists and experts in nutrition affirm that it is recommended to drink from 1,5 to 2,5 liters of water each day (the quantity may vary depending on the amount of physical activity that generates liquid lost, and in the consumption of other products rich in water such as fruits, soups and juices.).
