Diet and Healthy Eating

A balanced diet provides all the essential nutrients that your body needs.

The nutrients that are needed in the body are listed below along with their function in the body:

• Carbohydrate - Provides energy
• Fat - Provides energy and an energy source in the body
• Proteins - Growth and repair of tissues
• Vitamins and Minerals - Various uses such as to prevent some illnesses like scurvy
• Water - To prevent dehydration

The macro nutrients are Carbohydrate, Fat and Protein and these are required most in our diet.

Carbohydrates are stored in the liver as glycogen or converted into fat in the rest of the body

Fat is made of fatty acid and glycerol. This is stored as adipose tissue around the organs and under the skin.

Amino acids are found in proteins but are also made by your body.

Essential amino acids come from your diet.

Animal protein is a First Class Protein. These contain the essential amino acids.

Plant protein is a Second Class Protein. These do not contain the amino acids.

The amount of these foods should be varied so that you can get a good amount of each.

Age - Children and teenages need protein for growth. Older people need calcium to protect their bones and prevent getting a bone disease such as osteoporosis.

Gender - Females need more iron to replace the iron lost from menstrual blood

Physical Activity - Active people need more protein and carbohydrate

Alternative diets are because of either religious, personal or medical reasons.

Hindus do not eat cows because they are sacred.

Vegetarians and vegans do not think it is right to be eating meat and its products.

Some people have intolerances and allergies to certain foods such as eggs or gluten so they cannot eat them.