Nutrition is the physical and chemical process through which an organism utilizes food to support its daily life. It involves absorption, assimilation, utilization, formation, metabolism and exhalation. The human body needs a balanced combination of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fats for proper health. It is essential to maintain a healthy weight. The body uses energy from food to perform all these functions, hence, nutrition is also known as the metabolic rate.

The benefits of nutrition can be better energy levels, stronger immune system, vibrant and glowing skin, balanced brain, and a strong body. But if nutrition is not balanced, all these benefits are lost. That is why it is essential to choose the right kind of food for yourself, so that you can enjoy all the above mentioned benefits. To attain these benefits, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle; which means, you should make healthy food choices.

There are two types of nutrition: macro-nutrients and heterotrophic nutrition. Macromolecular foods contain different types of macronutrients. Whereas, heterotrophic nutrition provides the nutrients in their undiluted form (i.e., in their raw or natural state).

Both types of nutrition encourage the body to stay healthy and build up the body with the adequate supplies of vital substances. There are numerous types of homotrophic nutrition foods. Milk, cheese, fish, eggs, honey, soybeans, vegetables, fruits, grains and seeds are good examples. In case, you like meat, then you should eat lean meats.

On the other hand, if you prefer to consume plant-based foods, e.g., vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and beans, then you are encouraged to consume non-animal products, i.e., meat and dairy products. If you are vegetarian, then a good diet is a must for you. However, this is not the most effective solution as it might not provide all the necessary nutrients. To ensure a balanced diet, your nutritionist can guide you better with good tips, such as choosing the right kind of vegetables for your lifestyle. In fact, there are several other factors that influence the diet plan.

The first step is to know what type of body uses each of the nutrients efficiently. An individual body uses different substances in different ways. The first category of substances used by the body includes fatty acids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. The next category consists of living substances that provide energy to the cells. Food plays a major role in supporting the metabolic processes and providing all the necessary nutrients to the body. Hence, it is important to know whether the body uses fat, carbohydrate, protein, vitamin or mineral supplements.

Someone who is diabetic can benefit from complex carbohydrates as these provide complex carbohydrates in a refined form such as glucose. Complex carbohydrates can be found in foods such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, brown rice, and bread. Although simple sugars are present in many types of food, these contain mostly insulin and glucose, which are produced by the pancreas.

This study session 2 highlights the importance of adopting a healthy and balanced diet that includes a well balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables, cereals, beans, whole grain bread, rice, pasta, seeds and nuts. A good diet is necessary to avoid the risk of heart diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure and other life threatening illnesses. The next time you go shopping for your staple food, try to look for those products that contain whole grain, good fats, carbohydrates, protein and vitamins.

The next phase discussed in the study discusses the role of micronutrients on health. It was found that micronutrients can be used as an effective weight loss supplement by overweight people. However, these substances cannot be used as dietary replacements. Instead, they should be included in the diet in small amounts so that they can provide the necessary nutrition. Some of the micronutrients included in the diet include thiamin, niacin, magnesium, selenium, zinc, and beta carotene.

Other micronutrients included in the diet include animal products like meat, milk, eggs, fish, poultry and other seafood, fruits, vegetables and legumes. Major sources of these substances include green vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes and grains. These sources of micronutrients vary according to the nutritional needs of different people. Therefore, it is important to determine the main sources of micronutrients so that the daily diet can consist of the right amount of these substances.

It was also found that consuming a balanced diet rich in vitamin E, fruits and vegetables can improve the health of obese people. These foods contain antioxidants that are good for the body. The main reason for the overweight condition in most of the people is the consumption of fast foods, junk foods, processed food, and other foods that contain high fat content. Therefore, these foods must be avoided to prevent obesity. A healthy diet consisting of green leafy vegetables, wheat bread, eggs, fish and other seafood, fruits, berries, seeds and nuts can ensure the regular consumption of these foods that will provide the required nutrition to the body.