Nutritional wellness is a fundamental aspect of overall health, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients. It involves consuming a variety of foods that provide the body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to maintain optimal health and prevent diseases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), better nutrition is linked to improved infant, child, and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, and a lower risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease1. Nutrition plays a key role in cognitive development and learning in children, and it contributes to productivity and the ability to break the cycles of poverty and hunger.
Malnutrition, which includes undernutrition, inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, poses significant threats to human health. The global burden of malnutrition has serious and lasting impacts on individuals, families, communities, and countries.
A healthy diet is crucial for preventing malnutrition in all its forms, as well as various noncommunicable diseases and conditions. The WHO recommends a diet that includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. It suggests consuming at least 400 g (five portions) of fruits and vegetables per day, excluding starchy roots like potatoes and sweet potatoes.
To achieve nutritional wellness, it’s also important to limit the intake of free sugars, saturated fats, and trans-fats, while increasing the consumption of unsaturated fats. Keeping salt intake to less than 5 g per day can help prevent hypertension and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in adults.
In summary, nutritional wellness is about making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits that will sustain one’s health throughout their life. It involves understanding the nutritional value of different foods and how they contribute to a healthy diet, as well as being aware of the risks associated with poor nutrition and dietary patterns.