Nutrition is the biological and nutritional process by which an organism uses food to sustain its existence. It involves absorption, assimilation, utilization, metabolism and excretion. There are 7 fundamental food groups, which are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and fats.
The foods that constitute a nutritional diet are divided into two categories on the basis of the content of different essential nutrients. The first one is carbohydrates, which provides energy or power to the body, and the other category is fats, which provides energy and is a main component of most other substances. Carbohydrates include glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc., whereas fats are triglycerides, oils, etc. The food items that fall in the first category are rich in vitamins, minerals, and other substances required for the body. On the other hand, the other category of food items includes foods, which supply the body with all the nutrients it requires, but are low in carbohydrates, sugars, and other substances.
Food items that fall in the second category are low in calories and low in carbohydrates and fats. These foods, which constitute the richest source of nutrients for man, consist of plant material such as protein, fat, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. The human body needs protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and other substances for the growth and maintenance of the organs. The most important source of these nutrients is animal meat and milk. Protein is necessary for the growth of tissues and muscles; fat supports the body on all its levels from metabolism to digestion.
Nutrition is considered to be the most important factor determining the balance of health and diseases in an individual. A well balanced diet provides all the nutrients necessary by means of the right proportion of the different food types. The intake of various types of food is determined by the person’s lifestyle and by the need of an individual. However, a balanced diet may not be possible for a single person because everybody has different habits. Therefore, one has to consume foods from various food groups in order to obtain the desired results.
Meat and other animal products have been known to provide good sources of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. These are the ideal diet for animals because they do not contain any carbohydrates, sugars, or fats. In fact, the animal products, which include milk, cheese, and butter, are considered to be good sources of micronutrients. These micronutrients are essential for the growth of the body, including growth of muscles, bones, and teeth. Moreover, these micronutrients play a vital role in providing all the nutrients required by the human body.
The food items that contain these essential nutrients are called complete foods. The term complete foods refers to all the substances that the body uses without leaving any space for further usage. The complete foods include vegetables, fruits, and nuts; grains; and alcoholic substances, which are technically called substances that provide nutrition. It is very important to include these natural substances in the diet in order to achieve balance and equilibrium of the body.
Many people have different views on what should be included in the diet. However, when you compare the food and nutritional values of various cultures around the world, you can easily notice the differences in their balanced diets. In order to maintain the balance in the health of humans, it is very important to include only two groups of foods in the diet. The first group of foods contains animal foods such as meat, fish, and other animals; and the second group of foods consists of plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
The foods that should be included in the diet in order to achieve a balanced diet are protein and carbohydrate rich foods. These two groups are considered to be the basis of the balanced diet. On the other hand, the foods that should not be included in the diet are fat, sodium, and alcohol; since they are considered to be the main causes of diseases in humans. Therefore, it is very important to choose the healthy meal option.
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