Food Energy and Nutrients – Why It Is Important to Add Them to Your Diet

There are different types of food that humans need to live healthy. Plants produce food by way of photosynthesis. This is the process that converts starches and sugars into starch and energy for life on the planet. The human body uses food to live, and humans get their supply of food from plant foods like cereals, nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Animal food, on the other hand, gets its supply from meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products.

Food is any material consumed in order to give the body necessary nutrition. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and contains necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, fatty acids, or minerals. One of the major functions of the human body is to convert food into energy and store it for future use. A balanced diet provides all the necessary nutrition to function normally.

Foods that contain high levels of fiber, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals are called “good” foods. These kinds of foods are considered to be good for you. Foods rich in antioxidants can also help keep you young and vital. Good sources of antioxidants are vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, herbs, and spices. Antioxidants can be found in a variety of foods including berries, soybeans, tomatoes, onions, salmon, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, peppers, eggplant, mushrooms, garlic, and olive oil.

Foods that are high in calories are classified as “bad” foods. Foods with high calorie contents include candies, sweets, soft drinks, cakes, cookies, fast food, junk foods, and snacks. Foods rich in protein are essential to maintain the body’s tissues and organs in a functioning state. The three primary food groups that are rich in protein are whey, casein, and eggs. It is important to eat a balanced combination of these nutrient groups to obtain a healthy diet.

Food with carbohydrates provide energy for your daily activities. However, they are not easily digested and absorbed by the body. Carbohydrates are classified as bad food energy because they cause a rapid rise in blood sugar level, which eventually leads to diabetes. Good sources of carbohydrates are fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, potatoes, and whole grain products.

Vitamins and minerals are found in many foods. Milk and cheese are the two most important food sources of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. Some minerals, such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc are also present in milk and cheese. Common food ingredients that contain many vitamins and minerals are green leafy vegetables, rice, seeds, fruits, whole grains, fish, chicken, turkey, wheat germ, eggs, spinach, beans, and seeds. Some food energy and nutrients can be converted into other things such as fats, which are used as source of energy for many people. The fat that is obtained from meats has less calories than the one obtained from dairy products.