By Riley Rehl
What makes food “healthy”?
It’s important that we supply our bodies with the nutrients we need to thrive. The two major categories of nutrients that are essential for our bodies are macronutrients and micronutrients. Both of these groups are necessary for our bodies to grow and develop. Everyone’s nutrition is based on their own specific goals, so it’s important to find a balance that best works for you.
Macronutrients
Macronutrients are what we need in order to function and grow– they are the building blocks that make up the food we eat. Macronutrients can be broken up into three groups: proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.
Protein
Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle. Protein repairs and maintains our bodies and, because it takes longer for the body to process protein, protein keeps you fuller for longer.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the foods that give us the quickest return on energy. Our bodies can easily break down carbs and turn them into energy. It’s important to understand that all carbs are not created equal. There are complex carbs and simple ones. Complex carbs, like beans, whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, are the carbs to emphasize in your diet.
Fats
Fats often get a bad rap, but they aren’t the enemy. Fats help promote hair growth, insulate organs, and regulate body temperature. Some fats include Omega-3 (walnuts & salmon), which help our brains function. Like carbs, not all fats are created equal. We usually find saturated fats in things like cakes, biscuits, and fatty meats. Unsaturated fats are the more nutritious option and they can be found in foods like nuts, seeds, and avocados. Though there is a place for both kinds of fat in everyone’s diet, try to include more unsaturated fats than saturated.
On a Budget?
Sometimes eating healthy can seem intimidating, especially when the “healthy” foods are expensive. Listed below is a grocery list of nutrient-dense foods that hit all the macro bases and won’t leave your wallet hurting.
Budget Friendly Healthy Grocery List
Hopefully, these tips and grocery lists can help you feel more confident next time you go grocery shopping.
Nutrition on a Budget: A College Student’s Guide to Healthy Eating was originally published in The Herald on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
