The term “Kill or be killed” is a popular one, this term exists as a law in the animal kingdom where it implies that, either an animal kills another to feed (predators) or is killed by another animal and becomes food (prey). In this episode of the lifestyle series, we take a dive into diets.

Humans are deemed the apex predators, hence our presence at the top of every food chain, yep, we get to eat anything at all.

Like a car needs a specified kind of fuel (typical example, diesel-fueled cars cannot continue to function properly when they are filled with petrol), humans need to define the kind of food taken into the body according to nutritional value, quantity and taste.

A little bonus here

The above is just a little background to consider when planning your meals. They help to put together a balanced diet, which the body needs.

Why a Balanced Diet?

A balanced diet is a meal that contains the nutrients required by the body in good proportions or in their right proportions (figures, or percentages if you like). The nutrients are in two types;

1. Macronutrients: Like the word suggests, ‘Macro’ meaning large; These nutrients are required in relatively large quantities to keep the body effectively functioning. These nutrients are; Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats and water. When there’s a reduction in their levels, the effects are felt quite earlier. A typical example is water, which makes up more than 60% of the body, when the level is low, you may tend to feel dizzy or have headaches.
    
2. Micronutrients: Micro happens to be the opposite of Macro, meaning micronutrients. They are required in small amounts and these include minerals and vitamins. Micronutrients are usually present in any varied and balanced diet. Since they are required in smaller amounts, taking too much of these nutrients could be very harmful just as the deficiency of them are harmful. A typical example is the mineral sodium, an electrolyte, which is good for nerve and muscle function as well as regulating body fluid levels. When there’s too little of it, you could suffer from hyponatremia, a condition that causes one to be confused, fatigued and lethargic but when there’s too much of it you could suffer from high blood pressure, which could lead to cardiac arrest and even stroke, scary…right?

Something so simple that could be gotten from table salt and many other foods naturally could actually get so complicated. It’s feared that many people consume too much of sodium and advised that no more than one teaspoon of sodium should be consumed in a day and this includes both naturally occurring and table salt sodium. Persons with kidney diseases and high blood pressure are to take even less.

In any case, if you do have deficiency in any mineral and vitamins, Pharst Care has supplements which could aid in correction, but make sure a doctor or physician is recommending them or talk to our Pharmacists first (you can do that with the Pharst Care app)

A balanced diet has everything you need to help maintain a good weight, boost the immune system, provide energy, and build strong bones and muscles. It also helps in the correct functioning of the body organs. Junk food on the other hand, yes, the very tasty, aromatic, fatty food that looks very appetizing and irresistible; they may be high in calories but they are also called empty-calorie food, that is because they contain less or almost no nutrient, the sugary and fizzy drinks are no exception.

"You are what you eat", you need nutrients and empty food makes you deficient, deficiency takes you to the hospital or could kill you…The rule of the jungle works here too, kill your food before your food kills you.

References

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160774#micronutrients

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/263028#empty-calories

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK232454/

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-big-is-your-stomach#stomach-size

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/healthy-diet