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Nutrients are certain chemical compounds that are present in foods and that fulfill one or more of the following functions:

• Supply energy for body functions.
• Build and replace cells that make up body tissues.
• Regulate body processes.

There are six categories of nutrients:

• Carbohydrates
• Fats
• Proteins
• Vitamins
• Minerals

• Water

Proteins

Proteins are known as the building blocks of the body. They are essential for growth, for building body tissues, and for basic body functions. They can also be used for energy if the diet does not contain enough carbohydrates and fats.

Proteins consist of substances called amino acids. The body is able to manufacture many of them, but there are nine amino acids it cannot manufacture and must get from foods. A food protein that contains all nine essential amino acids is called a complete protein. Meats, poultry, fish, egg and dairy products contain complete proteins.

Proteins that lack one or more of these essential amino acids are called incomplete proteins. Foods high in incomplete proteins include nuts, grains, and dried beans and other legumes. Foods that, if eaten together, supply all the amino acids are called complementary proteins.

For example, cornmeal tortillas topped with chili beans supply complete protein because the corn supplies the amino acids lacking in the beans. Beans and rice is another example of a food combination supplying complementary proteins.

The average adult needs about 50 to 60 grams of protein a day. For most North Americans, getting enough protein daily is not a problem; most get about twice as much as they need. Greatly excessive protein in the diet can lead to a variety of health problems, including kidney and liver damage.

Vitamins

Vitamins are present in foods in extremely small quantities, but they are essential for regulating body functions. Unlike proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, they supply no energy, but some of them must be present in order for energy to be utilized in the body.

Also, lack of certain vitamins causes deficiency diseases.

Vitamins are classified as water soluble and fat soluble. The water-soluble vitamins (the B vitamins and vitamin C) are not stored in the body and must be eaten every day.

Foods containing these vitamins should be handled so the vitamins are not dissolved into the cooking water and lost.

Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D, E and K) can be stored in the body, so they do not need to be eaten every day as long as the total amount eaten over time is sufficient.

Consuming too much of a fat-soluble vitamin daily, as sometimes happens when people take too many vitamin supplements, can result in toxic levels of the vitamin stored in the tissues.

Minerals

Minerals, like vitamins, are consumed in very small quantities and are essential for regulating certain body processes. Minerals that must be consumed in relatively large amounts-more than 100 milligrams daily-are called major minerals. These include calcium ,chloride, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium and potassium. Minerals that must be present in smaller amounts are called trace minerals. These include chromium copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.

Less is known about the functions of some of the trace minerals. It is important to understand, however, that although small quantities are needed by the body, too much of any of them can be harmful.

Sodium, a component of table salt, is well known as a health problem. Too much sodium is thought to contribute to high blood pressure. Health authorities try to convince people to reduce the sodium in their diets, primarily by salting foods less.

Water

The adult human body is 50 to 60 percent water by weight. Water plays a role in all the body’s functions, including metabolism and other cell functions, digestion, delivery of nutrients, removal of waste, temperature regulation, and lubrication and cushioning of joints and tissues.

Water forms a large part of most of the food we eat and all the beverages we drink.

The body is good at regulating its own water content and tells us when we need more by making us feel thirsty. This signal should not be ignored. Even better is to drink enough fluids to prevent feeling thirsty. Required daily water intake varies greatly from person to person, depending on age, level of activity, and environmental factors such as heat.

The common recommendation of 8 glasses of water a day is not enough for some people, such as athletes and others who exercise strenuously, and is too much for others, such as older, sedentary adults.

What’s really in the foods we eat? It’s a question that seems to be asked more and more today. The news is filled with stories of foods that help to fight cancer, ward off heart disease or manage diabetes. So it’s tough to know which ones are truly the best.

The truth is-the right foods can do so much more than satisfy hunger. There are some foods that are so powerful they can not only fuel our body, pack our diets with nutrients and protect our health but also enhance it. And they really can help us fight disease. Below, we’re sharing the foods our experts consider to be some of the best.

Tomatoes

Vitamins: A and C
Minerals: Potassium
Also provide: Beta-carotene, lycopene and fiber
Benefits: Help protect against some cancers
Did you know? There’s more lycopene in cooked tomatoes than raw, so you can feel good about using canned tomatoes and paste, tomato juice and ketchup.
Recipe: Cherry Tomatoes with Choice of Herbs

Salmon

Vitamins: A, B6, B12 and D
Minerals: Phosphorus, potassium and selenium
Also provides: Omega-3 fatty acids and protein
Benefits: Increases heart health by lowering blood pressure and triglycerides. It’s also thought to prevent memory loss.
Did you know? Salmon is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA, which studies have identified as the most beneficial of the omega-3s.
Recipe: Baked Salmon

Blueberries

Vitamins: A, C and E
Minerals: Magnesium, manganese and potassium
Also provide: Fiber and beta-carotene
Benefits: Have cancer-fighting properties and can also improve memory
Did you know? Anthocyanins, the antioxidants found in blueberries, give the fruit its dark purple color.
Recipe: Blueberry Ice Cream

Spinach

Vitamins: A, C, K, folate, riboflavin and thiamine
Minerals: Calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc
Also provides: Beta-carotene, fiber and lutein
Benefits: Helps reduce the risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease
Did you know? The magnesium in spinach helps to lower high blood pressure.
Recipe: Spinach Salad

Oats

Vitamins: Vitamin E and thiamine
Minerals: Manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc
Also provides: Fiber and protein
Benefits: Lowers cholesterol and the risk of heart disease
Did you know? Enjoying oatmeal on a regular basis may decrease insulin resistance and help stabilize blood sugar.
Recipe: Apple-Oats Casserole

Soy

Vitamins: Folate and vitamin K
Minerals: Calcium, iron, potassium and selenium
Also provides: Fiber, omega-3s and protein
Benefits: Reduces blood pressure and has cancer-fighting properties
Did you know? Soy is the highest-quality source of cholesterol-free, vegetarian protein.

Recipe: Soybean Burrito

Broccoli

Vitamins: A, C, K, and folate
Minerals: Phosphorus and potassium
Also provides: Fiber, lutein and beta-carotene
Benefits: Fights cancer and contributes to eye health
Did you know? Broccoli has properties that kill bacteria known to cause ulcers and some stomach cancers.
Recipe: Broccoli Souffle

Black Beans

Vitamins: Folate and thiamine
Minerals: Iron, magnesium and potassium
Also provide: Fiber, flavonoids and protein
Benefits: Combat free radicals, which can reduce cancer risk
Did you know? If you like the convenience of canned black beans but are watching sodium levels, try canned organic black beans, which tend to have less salt.
Recipe: Black Beans and Rice

Walnuts

Vitamins: A, E, folate, riboflavin and thiamine
Minerals: Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium
Also provide: Fiber, omega-3s and protein
Benefits: Lower the risk of heart disease and improve cholesterol
Did you know? Walnuts are the only nut with a significant amount of ellagic acid, a cancer-fighting antioxidant.
Recipe:Caesar Salad with Roquefort and Walnuts

We start drinking milk from the first day of our life ’till our last, right? And that’s great, because milk is the only complete nutrient: it contains all 3 main nutriments categories (proteins, glucids/carbohydrates and lipids), along with vitamins (A,D,E and B group) and minerals (Calcium, Phosphor, Zinc and Iron)

Advantages:

-Through its high Calcium content it prevents rickets. 1 liter milk per day offers the Calcium needed for perfect bone solidity and development.

-Helps prevent cancer (colon cancer) due to Omega 6 content. Studies have shown a 50 % decrease in cancer incidence on dairy consumers

-Milk contains high quality proteins with essential amino acids which assure best development of tissues and whole organism

-prevents and treats high blood pressure due to high Calcium content

-cheese prevents cavity problems by increasing saliva Ph.

-Calcium from dairies burns fat!

-cheeses contain triptophan, precursory of serotonin, which gives us the good mood we desire so much

Eggs contain all 8 essential amino acids and proteins, and also all the needed substances for adolescentin and adult development. Along with the amino acids and proteins, eggs are also high in vitamins (A, B, D, E), minerals (Phosphor, Calcium, Iron) and oligoelements.

Advantages:

- proteins from eggs are better used by our organism that meat proteins. This happens because eggs are rich in vitamins and minerals.

- vitamin D in eggs plays an essential role in Calcium absorption from other ingredients and for bone development. Even though most of vitamin D is produced when exposed to sun, children, pregnant women and elders need high quantities of vitamin D, eggs being a very important source.

- 1 egg means 10% of the daily needed quantity of Selenium and contributes to the quality of sperm.

- eggs maintain the well functioning of the nervous system through its B6 and B12 content.

- protects blood vessels due to antioxidant properties conferred by Selenium and D vitamin.

Disadvantages:

- the egg yolk contains a lot of cholesterol. People with high triglycerides shouldn’t consume more than 1 egg weekly.

- hard boiled eggs can cause indigestion to gall bladder suffering persons.

- it can contain salmonella (especially in goose or duck egg), so don’t consume it raw. Cook it, and the germ dies.

- It doesn’t contain vitamin C or glucids.

Did you know that some foods take their toll own our mood? Some nutrients are absolutely mandatory for the good functioning of our brain and nervous system which is in charge, among others, with our good well being. Here are some of the most important nutrients to keep us happy!

1) GLUCIDS

Glucids are in charge of stimulating the production of  serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences the so called ‘good mood’. Sugar, for instance, is one of them, but, in order to keep our organism healthy, it is better if glucids are consumed in forms of cereals, bread, potatoes, beans, but not in excess, of course, because the body will transform them into fats. Also, eat generous portions of fruits and vegetables, and, the wonderful chocolate, that, even if you care about your figure, you can consume from time to time, but in small quantities. You may non know this, but the sweet tooth you always have may be a sign of lack of serotonin.

2) MINERALS

Iron. It is essential for the whole organism, helping neurotransmitors to be formed and transported. We can find it in meat, fish, some vegetables, nuts, cereals and seeds.

Zinc. It plays almost the same role  and it is found in the same foods as iron, with the exception that we can find plenty of zinc also in liver and oysters.

Magnesium. With calcium, it helps transmit the nervous impulses. If you are stressed, your magnesium level decreases, decrease that can lead to anxiety or depression. We can get magnesium from nuts, peanuts, almonds, sesame seeds, green leafed vegetables, fish, seafood, cereals.

3)B VITAMINS

Folic Acid (B9). Stimulates the serotonin secretion. Lack of folic acid can lead to irritability

agressivity, depression. B12 Vitamin can be found in green leafed vegetables, wheat,

soya, eggs, liver, oysters, cereals, and B6 in bananas, avocados,

asparagus.

4)FATTY ACIDS

Last researches show that fatty acids Omega-3 and Omega-6 which we can find in fish, seafood, regulate some hormonal actions, including the ones for our mood. These acids are very important to our brain, improving consistently our cognitive capacity. according to these studies, consuming one portion of fat fish, at least once a week decreases the risk of developing Alzheimer. Also, fatty acids contribute to improving you skin aspect, being used in cosmetic treatments.

Original Articles. Constant-Content.