Diet and Nutrition
Posted on December 24, 2006 | Category: Diet and Nutrition
Nutrition is “The process by which living creatures obtain energy from food and drink for the purpose of body growth and maintenance.” Food is fuel that powers human body. Energy is required to walk, breath, stand, think and even while sleeping. We obtain energy from the food we eat. The food is burnt in our body in the same way as vehicles burn gasoline. The energy that food provides determines the quantity of food that is required by the body.
Food naurishes our body in 3 different ways: by supplying heat and energy, by providing materials required for building and repairing body tissues, supplying substances which regulate body processes. A single food item may contribute mourishment in one, two or all three ways. Too much or too little nutrients could injure the human body. Diet you take should supply all the nutrients in close balance.
Food consists of 5 classes of nutrients namely:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are known as energy nutrients as they supply fuel for body heat and work. The food potential for these 3 is calculated in terms of calories. Your body weight is the measure of amount of energy nutrients required. Underweight is an indication that energy supply is not sufficient whereas overweight indicates adequate intake of calories. If calories consumed is more then what is required, excess of these is stored in the body as fat. If your weight is balanced, it indicates that your energy intake is balanced with energy output.
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