The Four Staple Food Groups You Should Consume on a Balanced Diet
Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to an organism. Generally, food is of animal, plant or fungus origin, and has various nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or other substances which are necessary to maintain the health of an individual. The nutrients in food act as building blocks of the body, providing the cells with the substances they need to function properly. The food we eat also provides energy to the cells, which is then used to carry out various functions, including digesting food and processing it to be absorbed into the body.
One of the most important substances found in food is protein, which is required by the body to build up cells and to repair tissue damage. Carbohydrates are important for supplying energy and carbohydrates are the main source of plant nutrients like fibre, which is used to increase the volume and content of the stool. Fungi and plants both contain enzymes that are needed to break down foods into simple substances known as macronutrients.
A typical day’s diet usually consists of 4 large meals each day. At least one of these meals should contain a carbohydrate; this can be anything from pasta, cereals, potatoes, rice, bread, etc. These foods are rich in calories, but not enough in nutrients. In the middle of the day you should have a few small meals which can be composed of a grain, vegetable or fruit.
Each of the four food groups contains different kinds of carbohydrates and some sources of these carbohydrates are foods such as: beans, pulses, nuts, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. All these food sources contain different quantities of nutrients. Therefore, it is important to identify which food group contains the amount of each nutrient your body requires, in order to choose a food source that meets your daily requirements. For example, if you’re lacking iron you would not eat meat, you would have a fish food source which contains much more iron than a food that would not contain any iron at all.
Most fruit and vegetables are low in calories and this makes them an excellent food choice for a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals which make up for about 32% of the RDA of vitamin A. Many people think that fruits and vegetables are bland and boring food. That’s why most people avoid eating fruits because they find it hard to digest. However, research shows that eating fruits and vegetables on a regular basis can be beneficial to health, provided that the food is eaten in its most natural state. This means you must not add any extra ingredients to the food.
By making an effort to include more fruits and vegetables in your diet you are on the way to developing a healthier lifestyle. These food groups are your first choice if you are trying to develop a balanced diet, whether it is to lose weight or just to keep your body feeling healthy and fit. They can also be used as staples in your meals if you are trying to lose weight.