Balancing the Body

There are 5 general types of nutrients we get from foods. Too much or to little can cause an imbalance that leads to health problems.

Carbon Building Blocks (protein, fats, and carbohydrates)

Minerals (Calcium, Iron, etc.)

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, etc.)

Vitamins and enzymes

Phytochemicals (carotenes, and bioflavanoids)

Of course reading nutrition labels to decide what and how much to eat can be confusing. Did you know that a portion or serving size has nothing to do with how much you are supposed to eat? Instead it refers to the amount that was measured to determine the Calories and the percentages of the RDA of certain nutrients that food is providing. If you need more or less, you are expected to calculate how much based on the information provided. After all, the RDA was calculated for average sized teenage restaurant waitstaff of a certain hight and build.

Wait a minute!! Most of us are not teenage waiters! Does it feel like some important information was left out?

Well about 5 years ago the USDA published an interactive charting system on http://www.mypyramid.gov . Unfortunately it still assumes adults fall into an average height and weight. If you want a more detailed analysis that takes into account your hight and weight and every thing you do and eat in a 24 hour period check out http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov .