Women Health Essentials are Carbohydrates and Proteins
Women health essentials are carbohydrates and proteins. No. I’m not on a sugar high.
Look at the below health facts:
- Your liver breaks down carbohydrates into glucose (blood sugar).
- Your body uses glucose to produce energy for your cells, tissues and organs.
- Your body uses protein to make hemoglobin.
- Hemoglobin is part of red blood cells that carry oxygen to every part of your body.
- Your muscles, organs and immune system are made up mostly of protein.
- Your immune system is an energy requiring mechanism.
All carbohydrates are not ones you want to eat daily or frequently.
The complex carbohydrates are good choices.
These carbohydrates are high in nutrients and fiber and are in the least processed form.
Some carbohydrates that are included in this group are:
- whole grain (wheat in the least processed form)
- brown rice (unprocessed)
- legumes
- fresh vegetables (unprocessed and low in fat)
Processing of food removes the nutrients and fiber and produces bad carbohydrates i.e. white flour, white rice and packaged processed foods to name a few. If you must eat processed food, look for food with less than 5g of sugar and more than 5g of fiber.
Protein is broken into complete and incomplete proteins. A list of foods high in protein is beef, poultry, fish, eggs, diary, nuts, seeds and legumes. Be informed and chose wisely.
Complete protein produces 9 essential amino acids that the body needs. These 9 essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body. Milk and meat contain all 9 but beware of the saturated fats and trans fats in the different foods.
Most vegetable proteins, nuts, seeds and legumes, is considered incomplete proteins. Incomplete proteins do not produce the 9 amino acids needed by your body. You can couple these with complex carbohydrates to get the 9 amino acids your body needs.
Some combinations include:
- natural peanut butter on whole grain bread
- red beans and brown rice
- spinach and peanut salad
Protein is important at all ages. Protein is important to hair and nail growth. Proteins are important building blocks for bone, muscle, and blood. The body does not store protein.
We should concentrate on getting more proteins from better sources. Teen girls need 6 ounces or 2 serving per day, the same for active women. The recommendation for most women is 2 servings or 5 ounces per day.
Carbohydrates and proteins are women health essentials when we chose wisely. Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, poultry, whole grains, nuts and beans are your best choices. Moderation is always the key.
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