Nutrition in a Nutshell by Roslyn Ross
Most of us received our nutrition and health education via the mass media. This means the information we received was not geared toward promoting perfect health, but toward selling products and improving ratings. For example, most of us know that to fight off a cold we should eat Vitamin C, not because we read it in a school textbook but because a commercial was trying to sell us orange juice. Something else we might want to know about juice: it's a fantastic way to get a natural sugar rush and one of the healthiest ways to gain weight. So people who are in the market to gain weight should definitely get their vitamin C via OJ. But for people who want to know other, more balanced ways to get their Vitamin C (and every other vitamin the mass media hasn't told them how to get) this cookbook is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Depending on your age, sex, height, lifestyle and many other factors, your body requires a certain amount of nutrients each day to perform every function in your body - some examples include: repairing damage to your skin, growing your hair and nails, pumping your blood, breathing and fighting off the viruses that are attacking you every minute of every hour of every day. How you feel throughout each day is directly related to whether or not your body has the tools it needs to function at its very best.
Not to be too dramatic but... your body is life or death.
Depending on your age, sex, height, lifestyle and many other factors, your body requires a certain amount of nutrients each day to perform every function in your body - some examples include: repairing damage to your skin, growing your hair and nails, pumping your blood, breathing and fighting off the viruses that are attacking you every minute of every hour of every day. How you feel throughout each day is directly related to whether or not your body has the tools it needs to function at its very best.
Not to be too dramatic but... your body is life or death.
Most Americans, 90% according to the USDA, have a deficiency of some nutrient or other. Most deficiencies won't kill you immediately. They will simply cause problems that, over the course of months and years, get worse and worse. You will become accustomed to them and you will blame the way you feel on your age... but you will be wrong. If you take good care of your body, it will take good care of you.
Here is the least you need to know: There are two types of nutrients your body needs - macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are nutrients your body needs in large amounts-water, carbohydrates (including fiber), fats and proteins. Micronutrients are nutrients your body needs in small amounts-vitamins and minerals.
For each nutrient there is a Recommended Daily Allowance-the amount (measured in milligrams, micrograms or international units) that, according to the World Health Organization, if you consume each day, will promote the health of your body, reduce disease and prevent deficiencies. The Percent Daily Value (% Daily Value) you see on nutrition labels is based on those allowances. My meals are based on meeting 100% of your daily values for every nutrient your body needs per 2000 calories.
Here is the least you need to know: There are two types of nutrients your body needs - macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are nutrients your body needs in large amounts-water, carbohydrates (including fiber), fats and proteins. Micronutrients are nutrients your body needs in small amounts-vitamins and minerals.
For each nutrient there is a Recommended Daily Allowance-the amount (measured in milligrams, micrograms or international units) that, according to the World Health Organization, if you consume each day, will promote the health of your body, reduce disease and prevent deficiencies. The Percent Daily Value (% Daily Value) you see on nutrition labels is based on those allowances. My meals are based on meeting 100% of your daily values for every nutrient your body needs per 2000 calories.