Nutritiously You
Nutrition
What you eat and drink can all contribute to your physical growth and health. What you choose can prevent common diseases like high blood sugar (diabetes), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and high blood pressure (hypertension).
When you're ready, there will be a link at the end of each macronutrient you can click to take a deeper dive into nutrients.
Carbohydrates (Carbs)
These are the foods/drinks made up of sugar. We’re not just talking about the white, coarse sugar found in cookies, cakes, and candy, but the kind that can be found in milk (as lactose), rice (as starch), fruits and vegetables (as fiber). As you can see, carbs are found in a variety of foods.
Proteins
Proteins help us build and keep strong muscles, skin, and hair. Most people may think of meat like chicken, seafood, beef, and pork when looking for proteins, but did you know it can be found in plants too? Yep, think of plants like beans, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein/
Fats
Like proteins, fats can be good or bad. Good fats are known as unsaturated, while bad fats are primarily trans fats. There are also saturated fats which sit between unsaturated and trans fat. Unsaturated fats can be found in nuts, fish, seeds, and olive oil. Saturated fats are in cheese, butter, meat, and full-fat dairy milks.
https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/
What you eat is important, but sometimes that is hard to figure out just looking at food. That's where food labels and nutrition facts can help. Check out this quick video on how to read and understand one.
If you enjoy reading more than listening, this article from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will help:
https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/how-understand-and-use-nutrition-facts-label
So what exactly makes a healthy, nutritious meal? In the image below, you can see what that may generally look like. You have the choice to fill what each of the food categories are made up of. Talk with your family and friends about what to choose!
Learn more at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/
Aprende mas: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-eating-plate/translations/spanish/
You'll also notice in this graphic that staying active is a part of health. Active doesn't just mean getting regular exercise like running or lifting weights at a gym. It includes playing tag with friends, kicking and running with a soccer ball, and swimming with family and friends in the summer. Make exercise fun by including others and choose activities that will make you want to do it again!
In Hattiesburg, there are few parks and trails that are open to everyone and great spaces to stay active. Here is a list to check out: https://www.hattiesburgms.com/parksandrec/parks/
