Nutrition is the process by which we provide the body with the nutrients necessary for good health and growth. Essentially,
nutrition is nourishment for the body via the foods you eat.
Eating nutritiously enables you to enjoy the
sense of well-being that comes with good health.
Adequate nutrition is vital if you want your body
to be healthy and well maintained and have the best
chance at fighting disease and operating optimally.
We get our nourishment mostly from.
macronutrients, which are the dietary main players,
but micronutrients are no less important. A balanced
diet contains many different types of both.

MACRONUTRIENTS
There are three macronutrients: carbohydrates), protein , and
fat.. These three macronutrients
give your body the energy it needs to operate.
The body takes care of many processes that
require energy without our conscious control.
(such as breathing, temperature regulation,
digestion, and cell repair). And, of course,
your body requires energy for movement. Each
of the macronutrients is required in relatively
large amounts every day to support many of
your body’s vital functions.


MICRONUTRIENTS
We need vitamins and minerals, known as
micronutrients, in much smaller quantities than
macronutrients, but they are vital for the body to
carry out its functions. In children, they are also
essential for healthy growth and development.
Because we need macronutrients in much larger
quantities than micronutrients, it’s easy to
underestimate the importance of the latter and
focus more on including the former in the diet.
But the absence of micronutrients can lead to severe
consequences. The World Health Organization
suggests that micronutrient deficiency is responsible
for some of the most common nutritional deficiencies,
such as anemia (iron), rickets, and osteoporosis
(vitamin D), all of which can have a debilitating
effect on the body’s well-being and performance.
You can get most of your vitamins and minerals
from plants. Plant foods come in various colors and
shades, and their color is linked to the nutrients they
contain. For instance, orange often indicates the
presence of vitamin A; purples indicate antioxidants;
greens contain vitamin K and iron; and red
vegetables contain lots of vitamin C. So a colorful
diet will give you a well-varied nutrient intake.
The daily requirement of each micronutrient
varies between individuals, but if your diet is healthy
and balanced, including foods from both plants and
animal sources, you are likely to be ingesting all the
micronutrients your body needs without the need
for supplements. For those who don’t eat animal
products, a well-thought-through diet alongside
targeted supplementation will provide the essential
nutrients you need. However, do
see a registered dietitian nutritionist if you want to
enhance your diet for optimal performance.