It is incredibly important to make sure that we all meet our adequate nutrition and hydration needs so that we can live healthy lives.
Without proper nutrition and hydration including a balanced diet and good fluid intake, our bodies can suffer from ill health and a variety of health conditions that can be difficult to manage without support.
We need to focus on what we put into our bodies so that we are in good health and can live out the rest of our years without too many problems.
Today, we will discuss how to promote adequate nutrition and hydration not only for yourself but for other people in your life too.
What is Good Nutrition and Hydration?
Consuming enough fluids and eating healthy foods each day will help keep your body in good condition to help you feel better about yourself and manage your weight.
The human body needs to have the right amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to be at its optimum and stave off illness and injury.
As we age, nutrition and hydration will change to match bodily functions, and it is unfortunate that elderly people will experience chronic dehydration and poor nutrition if they are looking after themselves without proper supervision.
Macronutrients and Micronutrients
We need two types of nutrients to provide us with the nutrition that we need to meet our goals. This can also be beneficial for people who want to lose weight to be healthier.
Macronutrients
These give us energy which means that to keep us moving, we have to consume these foods in high quantities.
Fat, protein, and carbohydrates are all classed as macronutrients, however, to get the full benefit, it is important to have them in the form of nutritious foods.
Micronutrients
We will have these in smaller quantities, and they are made up of vitamins and minerals. Mixing these with macronutrients can provide a complete and healthy meal plan.
Eating protein-rich foods like oily fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, etc., will help us get the recommended daily allowance of iron, vitamin D, and calcium.
These types of foods encapsulate all of what we need.
What Are The Signs of Poor Nutrition/Malnutrition?
When you are promoting adequate nutrition and hydration, you need to show people what can happen if they do not take care of their health through what they consume.
If they already have a medical condition, e.g. high blood pressure, asthma, or diabetes, then they will need to take their intake even more seriously as their health relies on them getting good hydration and proper nutrition.
Fatigue
All of us will get tired from time to time, it is normal, however, if it comes out of nowhere, and you have been getting enough sleep but still feel exhausted when you wake up, then it could be do to with your nutrition.
Muscle Weakness
If you feel achy a lot more or find that the strength you used to have is not exactly present like it used to be, you may not be consuming enough protein and vitamins to keep your body strong and resilient.
Dry Hair/Hair Loss
For our hair to look its best, we need good nutrition to keep it in its optimum condition, otherwise, it will look limp and dry, and it can fall out if not properly cared for.
Bad Oral Health
Dry mouth, inflamed gums, and/or cavities can be explained through poor nutrition.
Eating too much sugar can create cavities, and if you are not having the right amount of vitamins then that can cause you to have painful gums.
Getting Sick
If you, all of a sudden, notice that you are picking up more colds or your immune system is not fighting off bugs as it used to, this could be to do with the fact that you are not getting adequate nutrition to help your body manage and cope when viruses are going around.
A person’s health and well-being are centered around things such as good nutrition and hydration, if that is put to the side, then over time this will physically and mentally cause problems that may not be easily managed.
How Much Water Should You Drink a Day?
If you are an adult, you should be drinking around 2 litres of water a day to keep your hydration levels up and your body functioning.
Don’t just focus on the water you drink but also the food you consume as that will have liquids in it too that can help you with meeting your targets.
What Are The Signs of Dehydration?
- Dark coloured urine
- Muscle tiredness
- Dry mouth, lips, and eyes
- Fatigue
- Not passing urine a lot
What Can You do to Get The Right Nutrition and Hydration Daily?
Now that you know what can happen to your body if you do not take care of it, below are some ways that you can make sure you keep to your nutrition and hydration goals, as well as potentially contribute to a healthy clinical outcome if you do have any health conditions.
Create Balanced Meals
Whether you making food for yourself or you provide food for others, you need to make sure that you are creating balanced meals that will satiate those needs and keep you healthy.
Have a mix of all the different food groups on your plate throughout the day, and if you have a deficiency in any area, take a supplement or vitamin to keep you at the right level.
Keep Bottled Water With You
When we have a busy day, we can forget to drink to keep ourselves hydrated as we are so distracted by what is going on.
Always keep with you a bottle of water that you can refill to keep away dehydration.
This will help with your alertness and stop you from feeling unwell or fatigued as the day goes on.
Read Up On The Latest Guidelines
Nutritional requirements do change with people’s ages, so, to make sure you are hitting your age group’s needs, you should be reading up on what your body calls for, when you need it, to keep yourself in the green zone.
This will also make you mindful of what you are putting in your body and what the effects will be at your age if you keep taking in poor nutrition.
Speak to Professionals
If you are not good at knowing exactly what to eat and you really need some support when you decide to change your eating habits, then speaking to a professional may just be the best option.
Nutritionists and dietitians can guide you along and show you what would be the best thing for you, as well as what to cut out to keep your body fit.
They can also talk you through a fitness regime that will suit your needs and fitness level.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the question – “how can you promote good nutrition and hydration for yourself and others?” has been answered for you today and you are now more aware of what it takes to help your body reach its nutritional goals.
If you have been eating poorly most of your life, it is hard to shake that habit and completely change what you do, but, with the right support and determination on your side, you will be able to make that change and see a healthier you.