Wellness is a concept that integrates not only the body but also the mind and spirit. This blog focuses on nutrition, which will be the main aspect discussed. When we are properly nourished, good food can improve our physical health, mental well-being, and even spiritual wellness.
Nutritional wellness means getting the proper nutrients into our bodies for growth, development, and the maintenance of health. There are two types: organic and inorganic. Organic nutrients contain a carbon atom and encapsulate carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and vitamins. Inorganic nutrients are the molecules without a carbon atom, which are the minerals and water that our bodies require. These nutrients are necessary for the body processes of circulation, respiration, and digestion. If a food contains a variety of the nutrients above, it are considered nutritious or nourishing.
We take in nutrients in order to be of good nutritional status, which is our physical condition. Several indicators include height and weight, healthy organs, and well-functioning body processes. However, when people are of poor nutritional status, they are considered malnourished; this can go two ways: overnutrition or undernutrition. Overnutrition is a common issue in the United States, which leads to obesity and a variety of other diseases. On the other hand, undernutrition occurs often in infants, toddlers, adolescents, and the elderly for a variety of reasons including poor access to food, eating disorders, and simply the failure to meet increased nutritional demands.
Nutrition is essential to our physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, which is why I promote eating all foods on this blog. While fruits and vegetables have been traditionally deemed as healthy and nutritious, they can be lacking in protein or fats. Meanwhile, baked goods are restricted for their low vitamin content but are plentiful in carbohydrates and sometimes healthy fats. By eating a variety of foods for a balanced diet, you will be able to find that wellness can be an achievable lifestyle.
Source: Roth, Ruth A., and Kathy L. Wehrle. Nutrition & Diet Therapy. Cengage Learning, 2018.
