Study Session 2 Nutrient Imbalances – Food Groups Explained
Food is any substance consumed in order to supply the body with necessary nutrients to maintain the living conditions of an organism. In simple terms, food is the source of life. It is a primary source of nourishment for both man and animals. On the other hand, food is the most important factor that distinguishes between a healthy life and a sick one. Without food, humans may die very quickly.
The majority of the people eat foods in their daily diet in order to satisfy their basic needs. It is the most important step that determines the physical well-being and maintains the health of an individual. A diet with a balanced diet plays a very important role in the maintenance of general well being and prevents diseases. However, it becomes difficult to follow a balanced diet for a long period of time, due to the enormous changes that take place in our lives. Here, I will discuss four main groups of foods and their importance in our everyday life.
Fibre and carbohydrates are two of the most important food groups, together with protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and water. Fibre is mainly found in vegetables and fruits, whereas carbohydrates (sugar, pasta, bread, cereals) are found in legumes (beans), cereals, breads, potatoes, and some fruits. The main categories of carbohydrates are; simple and complex carbohydrates. The simple ones are generally classified as refined and unrefined carbohydrates.
Refined and unrefined carbohydrates provide energy for our body by causing rapid muscle contractions. They are also present in foods that we eat, for example: bread, potatoes and cereals. Complex carbohydrates on the other hand, provide energy by providing an extended release of glucose, which can be converted into energy and stored in the muscles. Simple carbohydrates on the other hand, do not provide energy, but rather act as a source of sugar for our body’s use. This is why people who are on reduced calories diet will often have to eat more foods rich in carbohydrates.
The next group of food, which is called macronutrients, consists of food components such as protein, minerals, vitamins, and water. Each type of macronutrient has different effects on the body. For example, the common food sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts. However, a single food, which is not discussed here, can provide all the above mentioned essential nutrients in different proportions: beans. The presence of beans in the diet provides a balanced level of all the macro-nutrients.
The third group, which is also called food group X, consists of foods that have a high or low nutrient density. For example, the highly fibrous food like lentils have a very high level of all the macro-nutrients while the fibrous food like green leafy vegetables have a low level of the same nutrients. This is the reason why the study session 2 nutrients were studied so comprehensively: to allow nutritionist to design a food plan that would meet the daily needs of a person in a healthier way.