Food

Food and Nutrition

Nutrition – It is the scientific study of food and its relation to

health.– Food has been used to treat in conjunction with or

with or without medicine.– It is a combination of processes by which all parts

of the body receive and utilize materials.– Age, religion, economic status, agriculture,

education are some factors which affect human nutrition.

– Functions of nutrients include supplying energy to the body, building and repairing body tissues and regulating body processes.

The food groups 

CARBOHYDRATES

• These are the body’s main source of energy

a) Simple carbohydrates (sugar)

• This sugar is found naturally in some foods like fruits and milk . The sugar which we use is derived from these natural sugars .

b) Complex carbohydrates (starch)

These carbohydrates are found in foods derived from plants like potatoes.

c) It is digested in the mouth and further by pancreatic and intestinal enzymes.

d) Sources include cereals, vegetables, jiggery etc.

PROTEINSa) Proteins help to repair and build the body

tissues. It also regulates body processes as hormones, antibodies, enzymes etc.

b) It is digested in the stomach and the small intestine.

c) Complete proteins contain all essential amino acids and are of animal origin.

d) Incomplete proteins are deficient in one or more amino acids

e) Protein deficiency results in impaired healing weight loss etc.

f) Sources include eggs, meat, fish, poultry, pulses, soybeans etc.

FATS• These are concentrated forms

of energy stores. It is present in different forms like cholesterol, omega fatty acids etc.

• They supply heat, insulation, padding for vital organs etc.

• It is digested by pancreas and the intestines.

• Plant sources include edible nuts and oilseeds.

• Animal sources include whole milk, eggs, lard, fish etc.

• Deficiency causes growth failure and skin problems.

VITAMINS• These are a group of chemicals which are

vital for the body. These chemicals are found in green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits etc. A deficiency  of these in our diet will cause certain diseases .

a) Fat soluble vitamins- A,D,E,K. These require fat for there absorption and are stored in the body.

b) Water soluble vitamins- B complex group, C. These are sensitive to environmental conditions and are not stored in the body.

c) Sources include vegetables, fruits, nuts etc.

Diseases caused by deficiency of certain vitamins 

Vitamin Disease caused by the deficiency of that vitamin

Treatment

Vitamin A Night blindness Include leafy vegetables , ripe yellow vegetables, carrots, papayas and milk in the diet

Vitamin B Redness of the tongue

Roughness of the skin

Include pulses, leafy vegetables and milk in the diet

Vitamin C Bleeding of the gums

Include amla, lemons, oranges and sprouts in the diet

Vitamin D Bending of the bones of the legs

Bending of the back

Expose the body to the early morning sun. Include milk in the diet

MINERALS

• These are inorganic elements occurring as salts.

• These help to build body tissues regulate body fluids.

• These are required in small quantities and are vital to the body.

• Major minerals like calcium sodium are required in large amounts.

• Minor minerals like iron, sulphur are required in small amounts.

• Trace elements like iodine, zinc, fluorine are required in micro amounts.

• Sources include vegetables, water etc.

• Deficiency symptoms are varied.

WATER

a) 65% of an adults body consists of water.

b) It is found as intracellular, extra cellular and intercellular fluid.

c) It acts as a solvent, transports nutrients and acts as a lubricant. It also regulates body temperature.

d) Sources include food , metabolic water, ingested water

e) Deficiency (dehydration) causes fatigue, headache etc.

The food pyramid