Macronutrients and Micronutrients: Understanding the Basics of Nutrition

Given that we are several days into the New Year, this is an opportune time to discuss healthy habits.  And what better place to start than with nutrition, the science behind consuming food and using it for growth, metabolism, and repair.  While many foods are delicious, some are more nutrient-dense than others, and those are the ones that we should be consuming the most if our goal is to be as healthy as possible in the New Year.

Macronutrients and Micronutrients: Understanding the Basics of Nutrition

When discussing nutrition and why it matters, macronutrients and micronutrients should be part of that discussion. For those not aware, macronutrients consist of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which, by the way, are the nutrients the body relies on the most to function optimally. According to nearly all dieticians, nutritionists, and further backed by more than a few esteemed studies, macronutrients provide the body with energy while protecting it against a host of diseases. They also play a role in facilitating many normal bodily processes that most of us probably take for granted. Some of the best and healthiest foods to eat when it comes to macronutrients include the following:

• Fish
• Fruits and vegetables
• Lean meats
• Legumes
• Low-fat dairy products
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Whole grains

As far as micronutrients are concerned, they consist of vitamins and minerals that the body needs in only small amounts to function optimally. Some of these vitamins and minerals include magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur. Sodium, potassium, and chloride are also among the ones that the body needs to function at its best. Together, these vitamins and minerals characterized as micronutrients contribute to the following:

• Blood clotting
• Bone health
• Improving immune function
• Maintaining energy levels in the body
• Maintaining fluid levels in the body

While we are on the topic, many foods are rich in micronutrients, including oysters, spinach, nuts, legumes, fruits and vegetables, meats, and dairy products.  For those unable to get the recommended daily intake of micronutrients through food, you should know there is no shortage of supplement brands on the market that lists magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and other vitamins and minerals that make-up micronutrients as active ingredients on their packaging.

Bottom Line

In summary, if this is the year you choose to make your health a top priority, eating more foods rich in quality macronutrients and micronutrients is a great place to start.  What’s more, there are plenty of options to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least a few that you will want to try and maybe even make a permanent fixture when it comes to your overall diet.