Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body’s dietary needs (WHO). Through the blood, water cycles oxygen, nutrients and waste in and out of the body. Water is also vital in the food digestion process. Without water, human life cannot be sustained. The Australian Government’s Eat for Health initiative recommends about 4-5 cups of fluids for children up to 8 years, around 6-8 cups for adolescents, 8 cups for women (9 cups during pregnancy) and over 10 cups for men each day. Of course these are just basic guidelines as an individual’s body size, amount of physical activity and climate all affect how much water should be consumed on a daily basis.
An individual will make healthy food choices by understanding what to eat, how much to eat and when to eat. We consume food with carbohydrates for energy production, protein for muscle development, vitamins and minerals for maintaining a strong immune system, sugars, natural oils and fats for energy production and muscle and organ growth. Nutrients should be consumed in specific proportions on a daily basis in order to maintain a healthy body and state of mind. The “Food Groups” link below offer a set of healthy nutritional guidelines for the individual.
FoodGroups
References:
World Health Organisation, (2014). Water Sanitation Health. [online] Available at: http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/gdwq0506.pdf [Accessed 16 May. 2014].
Commonwealth of Australia, (2013). Eat for Health. [online] Available at: https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/ [Accessed 16 May. 2014].
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