Food is any material eaten to provide nutrition to an organism for life. Generally speaking food is of animal, plant or fungi origin, and has necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or other minerals. It is generally produced by living organisms and animals. Plants get their food through the air, photosynthesis, by eating it from the soil, and other ways.
The best food is the food that provides the most total nutrients to the body at a sensible and constant rate. If the food is not digested and used by the body quickly, the body converts it to fat or stored energy. This results in a decrease in energy levels, weight gain, and a general feeling of being overweight or under-nourished. This can be prevented by eating foods containing complex carbohydrates, a balance of fatty acids, a moderate level of dietary fibre, and adequate amounts of essential minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
Complex carbohydrates are found in fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grain breads, rice, pasta, cereals, and some whole-grain foods like oatmeal. These food types contain energy and vitamins that are immediately available to the body. Foods with a greater amount of vitamins are also better sources of food energy than simple carbohydrates because they require a longer processing time to release their nutrients. Vitamins that can be derived from complex carbohydrates include vitamin A, vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, vitamin D, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, folic acid, thiamine, and niacin.
Simple carbohydrates are found in refined sugar, white flour, potatoes, rice, pasta, some fruits used locally and add others to the list. These foods have a longer processing time and less nutrients. These types of food should be eaten in their raw or cooked form to receive the maximum nutritional benefit. Simple carbohydrates should not be consumed in large quantities because the extra calories can be stored as fat. Other nutrients that can be derived from simple carbohydrates are riboflavin, folic acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Eating a diet rich in nutrients is important for maintaining a healthy weight. Some foods are better than others at providing healthy nutrients without excess calories. Some of these foods are vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, whole grains, and seaweed. Vegetables, fruits, and nuts are high in fiber, contain plenty of nutrients, and are easy on the stomach when consuming them in small portions. In addition, these items are excellent sources of protein.
Beans provide many of the B-vitamins, protein, iron, and other nutrients that are found in whole grains. Whole grains are also a good choice for adding variety to your diet. When it comes to vegetables, the highest rate of consumption occurs in the winter months when they are in season and available in most grocery stores. In addition, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, and spinach all rank high in terms of nutrient density. Reducing your intake of foods that have high calories and eating more of those that have low calories is one way to start the process of losing weight.