Nutrition

Nutrition is the process of obtaining those things that are needed for living organisms to develop, grow and survive.

The body requires certain amounts of specific nutrients from six categories: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. It is important to learn about which foods are considered healthy, how dietary supplements can help, and how to cook healthy foods.

Teaching children about good nutrition at a young age helps them develop a lifetime of healthy eating habits. Gardening offers a great opportunity for children to try new fruits and vegetables. Cutting down in junk food, artificial sweeteners, crisps and other packets of 'snacks' foods is the first step in the right direction. Sweets (candies, cookies, cakes, etc), particularly those with artificial flavorings, gelatins and artificial fruit or soda drinks are equally bad. These items only manage to contribute in calories but provide no important nutrients. Eventually the bodies need for protein, vitamins and minerals, will create a need to eat more and the path to obesity can begin.

Are you getting the vitamins you need?

Nature intended for us to consume the right foods and obtain the vitamins and minerals we need from what we consume.
Grains
Vegetables
Fruits
Milk
Meat & Beans

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) offers a list of suggested amounts of food to consume from the basic food groups, subgroups, and oils to meet recommended nutrient intakes at 12 different calorie levels. View PDF

Elderly and Malnutrition

A growing problem of great concern is malnutrition among the elderly. One in four in the elderly community is malnourished. Malnutrition although easily remedied is a significant contributor to increasing medical costs. Malnutrition increases hospital stays for the elderly and thus directly affects medical costs.

Malnutrition contributes to a wide range of health problems. Malnutrition effects the immune system and thus contributes to the development of infection, increases the length of time of wound healing and in some cases even death.

The cost of this unnecessary condition is catastrophic to the health care system.

Want more on nutrition? Visit U4Nutrition.com