The term “ food” is commonly used to refer to those substances that form a part of the usual diet. Proper diet forms the basis of main’s vitality, strength and longevity. A faulty diet may result in serious diseases. The chief constituents of foods are classified into six groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. The most important of these are know to be proteins. The are absolutely necessary for building and repairing our cells and tissues. Proteins consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulphur. The nutritive value of proteins is determined by the amount of essential amino acids. Amino acids occur in meat, eggs, milk and fish. The richest sources of proteins are such animal foods as meat, fish, cheese, eggs, milk and such vegetable foods as soybeans, bread and peas. Sugars and starches, known as carbohydrates, are digested rather quickly and supply energy for the body. They are made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Foods rich in carbohydrates are fruit, honey , bread, cakes, potatoes, rice, macaroni. Fats are also made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Fatty foods are considered to be good sources of energy, but people who eat too much of them become overweight. Fats are found in butter, cream. Milk, oily fish, meat, olive oil, sunflower seed oil. Our body also needs other materials called vitamins and minerals. There are more than 20 different minerals in the body. The most important minerals are calcium, phosphorus and iron. Vitamins are also important because they prevent diseases and help to control body processes. There are 13 vitamins that humans need. The most important are Vitamins A, B, C, D.
