Nutrition

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:-

1. Carbohydrates

   

   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.

2. Fats

   

   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.

3. Proteins

   

   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.

4. Minerals

   

   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.

5. Vitamins

   

   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.

6. Water

   

   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

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: -

1. Group A: Heat and energy giving foods like rice, corn, wheat, barley, millet, buckwheat, potato, honey, oil, ghee, etc.
2. Group B: Food for bodybuilding like fish, meat, pulse, beans, groundnuts, etc.
3. Group C: Foods for body-protection like green-leafy vegetables, sweet and sour fruits.

Importance of balanced diet

1. It provides energy to the body.
2. It helps to our physical and mental development.
3. It maintains the cells and tissues.
4. It protects the body from various diseases. It also helps to regulate the body temperature and function various physical activities.