Food: Nutrients

Your body needs nutrients to feed itself. There are 2 types of nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are needed in larger amounts as opposed to micronutrients, which are needed in smaller quantities.

There are 3 major macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins and fats.  

Carbohydrates are made up of types of sugars that provide energy for our body when digested. This may come to you as a surprise, but carbohydrates are NOT essentiel nutrients. They are a source of energy, but we can live perfectly without them, because we can provide ourselves with energy from other sources, like proteins and fat. 

Carbohydrate sources: fruits, sweets, soft drinks, breads, pastas, beans, potatoes, bran, rice, cereals, etc.

Proteins are the building blocks of our body. They are made of amino acids and take care of the growth and maintenance of our body. Taking the right amount of proteins is very important when exercising because it repairs muscle tissue. They can also serve as a source of energy when needed. 

Protein sources: whole grains, pulses, legumes, soy, fruits, nuts, seeds. etc.

Fats consist of fatty acids and play a vital role in maintaining healthy skin and hair, insulating the body against shock, maintaining body temperature and healthy cell function.

Fat sources: peanut oil, soya bean oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, olive oil, coconut butter, nuts, seeds, etc.

More info added later!