In order for the body to function, it needs seven types of nutrients. Foods high in carbs, proteins and fats as well as vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water are included. Everyone should eat these seven nutrients on a regular basis in order to create and maintain a healthy body and mind. Nutritional deficiencies, overconsumption, and imbalances in food can have a severe influence on health, which can lead to illnesses.
The classes of foods includes the following:
CARBOHYDRATES :Carbohydrates also called energy-giving foods. They provide energy in the form of calories that the body needs to be able to work, and to support other functions.Carbohydrates are needed in large amounts by the body. Indeed, up to 65% of our energy comes from carbohydrates.
They are the body’s main source of fuel because they are easily converted into energy. This energy is usually in the form of glucose, which all tissues and cells in our bodies readily use.
Sources are : bread, wheat, potatoes of all kinds, maize, rice, cassava, pasta, macaroni, ‘kocho’, banana, sweets, sugar cane, sweet fruits, honey etc. It is good to know that foods like vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds contain carbohydrates, but in lesser .
PROTEIN : Proteins are needed in our diets for growth (especially important for children, teens and pregnant women) . Proteins help to improve immune functions, making essential hormones and enzymes, in tissue repair, preserving lean muscle mass, and supplying energy in times when carbohydrates are not available.
It is good to know that Protein contains 10 - 34.5% calories in the body. Sources of proteins are meats, chicken, eggs, breastmilk, beans, ground nuts, lentils, fish, cheese and milk etc .
FATS AND OIL : Fats can also make meals more tasty and satisfying. Fats are found mostly in meat, chicken, milk products, butters, creams, avocado, cooking oils and fats, cheese, fish and ground nuts.In fat there are saturated ( solid at room temperature) and unsaturated ( liquid at room temperature).
VITAMINS: Vitamins are groups of related substances present in small amounts in foodstuffs and are necessary for the body to function normally. Vitamins are also called protective foods. Vitamins are classified into two : Fat soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) and Water soluble vitamins (vitamins B and C, and folic acid)
MINERALS: Minerals are the substances that people to ensure good health and correct working of their soft tissues, fluids and their skeleton. Examples of minerals include calcium, iron, iodine, fluorine, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, sodium etc.
WATER: Is a natural resource from God and is very vital in the body.Almost every part of the body contains large amounts of water.
People can live without solid food for a few weeks, but we cannot live without water for more than a few days. An adult needs about 2–3 litres of water each day. That is why giving drinks are so important when people lose a lot of water, such as when they have diarrhoea.
WHY IS SWEET POTATOES IMPORTANT TO US?
POTATOES : The botanical name is Ipomoea batatas. (Ipomoea=generic name & batatas = species)
There are so many varieties of sweet potatoes. Their skin colour ranges from white to yellow, red, purple or brown.
sources are vitamin C, iron, riboflavin, potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg) , carbohydrates etc.They are good sources of fiber, which help to lose weight .Fiber can help prevent heart disease by keeping cholesterol and blood sugar levels in check. Potatoes are also full of antioxidants that work to prevent diseases, diabetes etc .The fiber found in potatoes is called “resistant starch,” which has the health benefits of both soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.
Eye defect like retinitis pigmentosa (incurable hereditary disorder) which affect the retina resulting in blindness is also treated with potatoes for clear visions .
The skin of baked potato is a great source of potassium and magnesium. A potassium rich diet can help decrease blood pressure, protecting the heart and reducing the risk of stroke mostly occuring .
One with major blood sugar fluctuations, eating some sweet potato on a regular basis can help you avoid those crashes after your blood sugar drops.
Sweet potatoes help to stabilize blood sugar, and the four grams of dietary fiber in each medium-sized.
Sweet potatoes help in digestion. Adding up to 200 grams of sweet potato to their diet per day had reduced rates of constipation. For more ways to keep your GI tract working like clockwork .
Last but not the least, Sweet potatoes help to improve healthier life, individuals with higher levels of circulating beta-carotene were less likely to die from any cause mortality than those with lower beta-carotene levels.
In conclusion, it is good to make sweet potatoes part of your regular diet for to avoid health issues.
Am much grateful to God Almighty for making this article successful and readable. 🙏🙏🙏