A Nutritious Diet is Necessary to Sustain Life
Food is any material consumed for the purpose of providing nutrition to an organism. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and generally contains necessary nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, sugars, carbohydrates or minerals. The human body needs a variety of foods to survive, including protein, fat, carbohydrates and some vitamins. Plants also provide food, but are often eaten as seasoning or in place of animal meat or milk. The main types of food are green and brown vegetables; some fruits; cereals; legumes (such as beans); whole grains and breads; oils and seeds; dairy products; eggs and poultry.
The diet needs to be balanced in order to provide a healthy lifestyle. It is important to keep the body’s nutritional requirements in balance with the proper amounts of the necessary food groups. An ideal balanced diet should contain at least five to six servings of fruits and vegetables per day, along with a supply of vitamin and mineral supplements to meet the body’s nutritional requirements. Some groups of people are at risk of developing certain diseases or conditions if they do not eat a proper balanced diet, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, or those with certain pre-existing health problems, including renal disease, chronic heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, kidney disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, obesity, kidney disorders, acid reflux, and cancer. Nutritional needs change depending on the age, sex, and physical activities of the individuals.
In order to maintain life and function, many aspects of the body need food, and a proper balanced diet is necessary to feed the body and maintain its health. The two basic food groups are protein and carbohydrates, which provide the energy needed to sustain life and physical activities; fats, which provide the energy required for body metabolism; vitamins, which provide the nutrients necessary for cell development and maintenance; and minerals, which are the compounds that are found in all food and provide healthful qualities. Individuals who eat diets that are low in many of these substances and contain mostly processed or refined foods will most likely suffer from deficiencies in some area of their diet, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, and fat. This could result in: decreased energy levels, weight gain, poor digestion, decreased mental functions, prolonged illness or disease, premature aging, lack of physical well being, and other serious consequences.