Aside from physical activity, rest, and a healthy environment, nutrition stands as one of the vital components of total human health. Food is one of man’s physiological needs, but to ascertain that it is healthy, it should contain the vitamins and nutrients that the body needs to keep physiologic cellular processes going.
Believe it or not, pizza could be a complete and balanced meal on its own. According to “Kitchen Sense” author Mitchell Davis (via San Francisco Gate), pizza was just a flat bread with stuff on top. A classic non-cheese only pizza includes a wheat flour dough, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese, basil leaves, and pepperoni. As per the publication, the ingredients already contain several nutritional benefits, as the wheat provide carbohydrates and fiber, the cheese provides protein, the olive oil provides fat, and th tomato sauce offers vitamins like vitamin C, in addition to its antioxidants lycopene and phytochemicals. Davis also said that if the pizza’s crust was flavorful and crunchy, one should not have to cover it up with loads of junk.
Salmon is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, according to Authority Nutrition. As per the publication, salmon and other fatty types of fish are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to human health due to their ability to preserve normal metabolism. The publication added that a 100-gram piece of salmon contains 2.8 grams of omega-3, in addition to “high quality” protein and various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B-complex, selenium, potassium, and magnesium. The B vitamins are important for the integrity of the nervous system and the vitality of the cells, selenium has antooxidants called glutathione peroxidases that prevent cell damage, potassium is essential for the regulation of water with sodium and in cardiovascular health, and magnesium helps in digestion, cardiovascular health, and preventing leg cramps during pregnancy. Aside from its fat and protein, salmon also contains few calories, allowing a person to feel full after eating it.
For vegetarians, black beans and quinoa serve are rich sources of carbohydrates and protein. According to Pop Sugar, the legumes and whole grains provide the glucose and amino acids that the body needs and busy vegetarians would find them enjoyable. To prepare the dish, the quinoa and water are placed in a covered pot on high heat. When it begins to boil, heat is reduced to simmer and the quinoa is cooked for 20 minutes or until the water has been absorbed, as manifested by the quinoa’s fluffy appearance. The tempeh is prepared while the quinoa is cooking. Adding the chooped onion, they are cooked for five minutes. Then, the red and cayenne pepper, salsa, lime juice, and salt are added and stirred occasionally for about 15 minutes. Once cooked, the quinoa and tempeh are poured into a glass bowl and are mixed together. Beans, tomatoes, corn, cilantro, and diced avocado can also be added. The dish can be eaten as is, but it can also be used a filling for burritos, as per the publication.
Potatoes are also stomach fillers, though they contain more carbohydrates than other macronutrients. As per Authority Nutrition, one large potato contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, and copper. Aside from the aforementioned health benefits of magnesium, and potassium, iron helps in the delivery of blood and oxygen to various organs of the body and to the cells, in microscopic level. Manganese helps in the management of weak bones in conditions like osteoporosis while copper helps in wound healing and in the management of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Overall, some foods that people eat leave their full and satisfied, preventing them from consuming more and become fat or overweight due to altered nutrition more than body requirements.
