Food is essential to our lives. It can either be in a solid or a liquid substance which, when consumed by the body it provides the essential resources for the body to grow, repair damaged parts and to function normally. Food is also a very important when it comes to providing the body with energy. The food we eat gives us the nutrients and eventually the energy required for all body parts to function correctly and efficiently.

There are six main groups of nutrients: vital

- Proteins: Proteins are complex molecules made up of smaller items called amino acids. These acids are important to our bodies because they help in the construction of muscle tissue, enzymes, haemoglobin and many parts of the cell such as DNA.

- Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates are made up the elements carbon, hydrogen and oxygen and they provide our bodies with a readily available source of energy. Food appearance and flavour is increased by these compounds

- Lipids: Lipids include all fats and oils taken in by the persons diet. Fats are a fundamental part of the diet and add both flavour and texture to foods eaten.

- Vitamins: Vitamins are organic compounds required for cellular

- Minerals: Minerals are inorganic compounds present in the food we eat and incorporated into many structures of the body such as bones teeth and blood.

Foods with high nutritional value are foods like Vegetables, Legumes, (including baked beans, dried peas, beans and lentils) Bread, Cereals (including wholegrain cereals and wholemeal bread, rice and pasta). The key features of these types of food is firstly that they are entirely healthy and because they extensive amounts of carbohydrates and they good sources for the essential vitamins that are required for our body to function.

It is evident that our understanding of nutrition has changed over time because along with all the scientific discoveries comes the opportunities for nutritionists to expand their knowledge. Nutritionists have introduced us to such guidelines as Recommended Daily Intakes including all the essential proteins where as prior to the 20th Century people were no watching what they eat or not eating enough. It is still unfortunate though that many people in today’s world who have these recommendations also suffer from health disorders which are the result of over-indulgence in food or unwise choices of diet.

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