Rachel Ray's Nutrition Resource

Why is nutrition important? The basis of all weight loss is healthy eating, and that includes nutrition. Whether you need proper nutrition for athletes or just need to know why nutrition is important, RachelRayDiet wants you to take the confusion out of good nutrition. Healthy eating is very important, especially for an active person or one who is just starting out. The more calories you eat, the more you have to burn off, but not all calories are bad! Moderation is the key to all nutritional habits, whether for an exercise enthusiast or an athlete looking for the right athlete nutrition.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of protein, this nutritional wonder helps build cells, protect body from virii, repair damaged tissue, and carry oxygen throughout the body.

Calorie

Unit of heat used to express energy value from food. A pound of fat is 3500 calories, so in order to burn even one pound off of your body, you need to burn 3500 calories . Good nutrition combined with healthy eating will help you maintain a healthy weight, and lose extra pounds if you are having difficulty with your weight.

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Foods high in carbohydrates include breads, pastas, beans, potatoes, bran, rice and cereals. Carbs are not essential nutrients for a properly functioning human - the body can obtain all its energy from fats and protein - however, the brain generally cannot burn fat and needs glucose for energy.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is part of the fats in the bloodstream and blood cells of your body. We need a certain amount of cholesterol to keep functioning properly (HDL - good cholesterol), but too much (LDL - bad cholesterol) can put us at risk for heart disease since it clogs up the arteries.

Glucose

Glucose is a simple sugar, one of the main sources of energy for the human body. We need glucose to convert into energy from the foods we eat to help fuel our workouts. Glucose is also needed by the brain for energy.

Protein

Proteins help build, maintain/repair and replace tissues in your body. Where can you find this necessary block of life? Many foods contain protein, and the nutrition facts are that nuts, seeds, legumes (black beans and lentils, for example), dairy products, eggs, poultry, fish and beef contain among the best/most amounts of proteins for your body.