Maintaining a Healthy Body

The body is a machine, made up of thousands of working parts. When looking at the human body as a machine it is easiest to describe maintaining it as such. The body requires two key activities to operate at a normal and healthy level. These key activities are Healthy diet, physical activity and proper sleep.

The body requires fuel to operate its components. The body’s fuel of choice is food.   Our body needs fuel to move, maintain body heat and develop. Within this fuel the body requires several items. These items include: Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats, Minerals, Water and Vitamins.   Carbohydrates are the body’s source of short term energy storage Carbohydrates are those foods such as: starches, cereals, potatoes, bread, pastas and biscuits. All of these can be easily converted into body fat.
Fats or lipids as they also known are the body’s long term energy storage mechanisms. Fats are crucial as they are used to cushion vital organs and to insulate us from the cold. There are two types of fats that our body consumes: Saturated and Unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are common known as the fats to stay away from. Examples of Saturated fats include:   processed meats, bacon, sausage, butter, pies and cakes.   Too much saturated fat in our diets can raise our cholesterol and in term raise our risk to heart disease and stroke.   Unsaturated fats are commonly known as the healthy fats and can actually reduce cholesterol levels.   These fats are mostly found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, and fresh tuna. They can also be found in such foods as Nuts, seeds, sunflower and olive oils.
Our body’s require protein from the foods we eat, to maintain bones, skin and muscles. Proteins can be found in foods such as: Meats, nuts, dairy products, and certain beans and grains.