Nutrition is the science of food – the way the body ingests, digests, absorbs, transports, utilizes and excretes food. It is the process of nourishing your body with all the essentials it requires to thrive on a daily basis.

Just as exercise influences body weight, so does the nutritional value of foods. Nutrition is the one factor that can make or break the attainment of your weight loss goal, yet it is often overlooked.

Therefore, to get the most from the foods you eat; you should know:

1. What nutrients your body needs in order to maintain optimal health and fitness.
2. How these nutrients function.
3. Which foods contain these nutrients.
4. Changes you can make in your lifestyle and eating habits to achieve weight loss.

There are three types of macronutrients that your body needs to maintain health: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Water is sometimes considered a fourth macronutrient since it is so vitally important. Vitamins and minerals are referred to as micronutrients, and are needed to assist the enzymes in our body. The function of these basic nutrients is described in the upcoming segments.

Remember: A healthy lifestyle is not about deprivation. It’s about setting reasonable expectations for yourself and having pride in your body and yourself, so that you can live life vigorously.

When it comes to weight loss, slow and steady wins the race. The most the body can lose in actual fat in a week is about 2 lbs. (almost 1 kg). So be happy with losing “only” one or two pounds a week! It is the only safe and effective way to lose weight – and keep it off. If you are not sure if you are overweight, check the Body Mass Index.