FOOD

FOOD AND CLASSES OF FOOD

 

Food

      Food  is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. Food is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins,  fiber and minerals. Food is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism's cells to provide energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth.

TYPES OF FOOD

Foods are of three types namely:

•Solid foods such as yam, rice, bread, beans etc

•Liquids foods such as milk, juice, tea etc.

•Semi-solid foods such as pap, cerelac etc

BALANCED DIET

 A balanced diet is a diet which provides all the nutrients in the required amounts and adequate proportions.

BALANCED DIET VIDEO

UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS

•Binging: When foods are low in fiber and high in sugar or salt and partially hydrogenated trans fats the tendency is to over-consume. ...

•Starving Yourself

•Not Knowing What You Eat

•Sugar, White Flour, Caffeine and simple carbohydrates

•Skipping Breakfast

•Lack of Exercise

•Not Drinking Enough Water

WATCH VIDEO OF HARMFUL DIET

CLASSES OF FOOD

   There are six major classes of food based on their nutrient properties. It usually includes the following classes: Water Vitamins Minerals Protein Fats  and Carbohydrates (including fiber) .

 

•   These nutrients can be classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients usually include water, fibre, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. They are needed for our body in large quantities. Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals. They are needed in our body in much fewer quantities

•These six classes of food are:

CARBOHYDRATES

•Carbohydrate molecules are made up of hydrogen atoms, oxygen and carbon. Carbohydrate is essential for producing energy.  Bread, yam, bread, rice, pasta, oatmeal, and noodles are common sources of carbohydrates.

FIBRE

•   Fibre is a type of carbohydrates that is not totally absorbed by human beings. Fibre in the diet is usually made up of cellulose. It’s a large carbohydrate which cannot be digested by our body because of the lack of enzymes. Fibre can be found in fruits (oranges, currants, pears), vegetables (onion, corn, broccoli, garlic, green bean), pulses (beans, lentils) and whole grains (cereals). Fibre is needed to keep our digestive system healthy and ready to do its job. It also contributes to the processes, like stabilizing cholesterol and glucose levels. The diet which is rich in fibre can prevent coronary heart diseases, bowel cancer, and diabetes

•Protein is the main structural component of the cells of our body. It helps the building and repair of body cells and tissues. Protein molecules are largely made of hydrogen, oxygen and hydrogen, carbon and nitrogen. Every molecule of protein is made up of thousands of amino acids. Our body needs these elements to create new protein and maintain the existing ones. Some sources of protein are: chicken, beef,  fish, eggs, milk, beans, etc.

FAT AND OILS (LIPIDS)

•Fat and oils are collectively called lipids. They also provide energy for the body. Fats also help to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and regulate body temperatures. Fats are mostly from animal sources while oils are from plant sources.

MINERALS

•Minerals  help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy.  Mineral elements are less needed for our body, but they are also an essential part that keeps us healthy.  Minerals  include Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc and so on. You can find these minerals in dairy products, meat, fish, poultry, grains and so on. Minerals perform various functions like building blocks for our muscles, bones, and teeth, carrying oxygen in our body, keep fluids balanced.

•

VITAMINS

•Vitamins help to keep the body healthy and fight against diseases. Vitamins are grouped into two namely:

•Water soluble vitamins: examples are vitamins B and C

•Fat soluble vitamins: examples are vitamins A,D,E, and K

•Vitamin A contributes to the health of our eyes and is very important for children. Common sources of Vitamin A are yellow pumpkins, fruits, carrots, orange, leafy vegetables (like Spinach) and squash.

•B vitamins are important for making sure the body's cells are functioning properly. They help the body convert food into energy (metabolism), create new blood cells, and maintain healthy skin cells, brain cells, and other body tissues.. Good sources of B vitamins are oatmeal, meat, fish, vegetables, avocados, brown rice, potatoes, eggs, dairy products, bananas, liver, and tree nuts

•Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. The deficiency of Vitamin C may cause scurvy. Sources of  Vitamin C are  bananas, blueberries, broccoli, carrot, cherries, corn, cucumber, green beans, grape, mango, pear, peaches, plums, orange  and watermelon.

•Vitamin D-rich sources are fish, eggs, liver, and mushrooms. Vitamin D helps to maintain calcium absorption. Other than food sources, Vitamin D can be obtained from the sun.

•As a fat-soluble nutrient, vitamin E functions mainly as an antioxidant, which means it helps protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.. Seeds, nuts, and vegetables are good sources of Vitamin E.

•Vitamin K can be obtained from leafy green vegetables, liver, and egg yolks. Vitamin K deficiency may cause bleeding diathesis, gum bleeding, problematic blood clotting, and bleeding associated with the digestive system.

•WATER

•Water is an essential part of our food.  The Human body is essentially 80% water. Therefore, we need to maintain that balance to survive and stay healthy. Fortunately, water can be found in any product. It is a simple combination of hydrogen and oxygen, but we cannot survive without this.

SEE HOW SOME FOOD CLASSES CAN BE  TESTED IN THE LABORATORY IN THIS VIDEO

 KINDLY DO THIS CLASS ACTIVITY