Subject: EPH
Nutrition is also known as food science, which relates to the nutrients essential for proper physical growth. Nutritious food is necessary to get energy and for physical growth, the formation of cells and tissues, movements of organs and protection of the body against diseases. We should take the balanced diet with all different groups of food.
On the basis of chemical composition of food, it can be classified into six groups of nutrients:-
Carbohydrates provide energy and heat to our body. They are the compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which are stored in liver and muscles. They are found in different food materials. Rice, wheat, corn, barley, turnip, sweet potato, yam, sugarcane, etc. are the main source of carbohydrates.
Fats also provide energy and prevent the loss of heat from our body. They are the compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Ghee, oil, butter, groundnut, soyabean, etc. are some major sources of fats.
Proteins are required for bodybuilding, repair and maintenance of tissues in our body. Amino acids form proteins, which are the composition of oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, etc. Chief contents of proteins are fish, meat, egg, milk, pulses like pea, bean, gram, lintel, etc.
Minerals are necessary for our body to protect us from various diseases and normal functioning of our body. We supply minerals from food materials like fruits, green vegetables, fish, meat, egg, milk, liver, salt, etc.
Vitamins are also necessary for us to protect our body against diseases. There are various types of vitamins. Vitamin A, D, E and K are fat-soluble and vitamin C and B complex are water soluble vitamins. Vitamin B complex includes B1, B2, B6, B12, niacin and folate. Main sources of vitamins are liver, green vegetables, fruits, butter, egg, meat, etc.
Water is necessary to maintain the body temperature and to absorb food elements. It composes about three-fourth of our body weight. Lack of water causes dehydration. It is very important for us. Therefore, it must be pure.
Balanced diet is the content of sufficient amount of all nutrients (carbohydrates, protein, vitamin, minerals, fats and water) required for keeping our body healthy and active. The proportion of the nutrients should be appropriate according to the daily needs. Unless there is a balance in our diet, we suffer from malnutrition.
In conclusion, the daily foods must contain the appropriate proportion of food from following three groups: -
Importance of balanced diet
Protein helps to maintain and regulate the structure and functioning of all living cells and viruses.
Our body requires vitamin in order to protect our body from diseases and maintain immunity.
Balanced diet is the composition of food containing all the necessary nutrients required for our body in appropriate amount. It can be prepared from locally available foods. They are fresh and unadulterated. We can obtain carbohydrates and fat from rice, maize, wheat, milk, meat and proteins and minerals from milk, meat, eggs and pulse. Green leafy vegetables and fruit supply enough vitamins. All these foods are locally available and economically affordable. If we use them properly, a complete diet can be obtained. But enough care is to be given while cleaning, preparing, cooking storing and serving.
Nutrition refers to the process of supply of food and absorption of nutrients by the body. Nutrients like carbohydrates, fat, proteins, minerals are very important for our body. Due to several factors, we are losing nutrients from our food. It is a great loss. The following measures should be adopted to protect nutrients of our food:
Our body needs to be maintained and enabled to run its different functions. For its maintenance and functioning, it needs various nutrients which are obtained from proper balance diet. When balanced diet is obtained, health can be maintained. The quality of our health highly depends on the quality of food we have. Lack of balanced diet results different types of malnutrition. Balanced diet helps to fight against illness and enables to us to work hard. So, it is absolutely important.
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