Micro and Macro? The Full Scoop on Nutrients

This is National Nutrition Month, and we continue to explore ways to improve our food choices for better nutrition, health, and wellness.  We know that nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining and improving our health. The foods we consume should provide essential nutrients that influence various bodily functions, from energy production to disease prevention. These nutrients are classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are essential nutrients that the body requires in large quantities. They provide energy and building blocks for the body.  The three main macronutrients are carbohydrates, which provide energy; protein, which build and repair tissue; and fats, which store energy and provide essential fatty acid. Macronutrients are essential for maintaining body structure, function, and overall health. Micronutrients are essential nutrients that the body needs in small amounts for optimal health. They include vitamins and minerals, which play crucial roles in various bodily functions. Even though micronutrients are needed by the body in very small amounts, their impact in the body’s health is critical. A deficiency in any of them can cause health-threatening conditions.  Below are recommended sources for getting your macro and micronutrients.


Some sources of carbohydrates: Grain, fruits and vegetables.

Some sources of plant-based protein: Legumes (lentils, chickpea, bean, pea)

Some sources of healthy fats: avocado, raw nuts and seeds, coconut.

Some sources of vitamins: Fruits, vegetables.

Some sources of minerals: Vegetables, fruits.


Our health and vitality are dependent on how well our body is nourished. When properly nourished, the body has the capacity to prevent, arrest, and reverse disease. Learning how to supply your body with the proper nutrients is foundational to preventing and maintaining good health. If you have not started on your journey towards better health, why not start now? March, been National Nutrition Month, is a good time to begin or continue on the wellness journey of body, mind and spirit.


Health Tip:

Enjoy the simplicity of nature’s natural foods and stay away from foods that have been altered through processing and refining.


Verse to Remember:

"Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food".     Genesis 1:29

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