A-Z of Good Health

Everyone knows their ABCs but what about your ABCs to good health?

With an increasing number of products at the supermarket labelled with nutritional benefits such as "fortified with Vitamin D", "iodised" and "added potassium" it is time to decipher the actual benefits of such nutrients and reveal the natural sources in which they can be found.

VITAMINS

Vitamins are separated into 2 categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble.

Water-soluble vitamins (B complex & C) are transported around the body by fluids such as blood, and need to be consumed on a daily basis as they are not stored in the body.

To ensure you are obtaining enough of these vitamins in your diet, follow these guidelines:

• 4 serves of wholegrain cereals (a serve is equivalent to a cup of breakfast cereal or a cup of cooked rice)
• 3 serves of low fat dairy foods (a serve is equivalent to a 250ml cup of milk or a 200g tub of yoghurt)
• 1 serve of lean protein foods (a serve is equivalent to one small chop or two small eggs)
• 2 serves of fruit (a serve is equivalent to a medium apple or 2 small kiwi fruit)
• 5 serves of vegetables (a serve is equivalent to a cup of salad or ½ cup of cooked vegetables)

Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) on the other hand are dissolved in fat before being transported around the body by the bloodstream. This means that they can be stored in the body until they get used, so as long as you consume enough of them, you don’t have to consume them every day.

MINERALS

Minerals are essential nutrients your body needs to function well. We need minerals to undertake functions such as building strong bones and teeth, turning the food that we eat into energy and making hormones. There are many other minerals that we need in tiny amounts, yet can’t live without which are called ‘trace elements’. Consuming a nutrient-dense diet will ensure you meet your requirements of trace minerals as well!

So now that you know your ABC, it's time to be as healthy as can be!

JW

References

• https://www.morethanmedication.com.au/Eat-well/Know-your-ABC-to-good-health/