A Balanced Diet For Healthful Living

Food is any material consumed in order to provide essential nutrition for the organisms. The composition of food is determined by the type of organism to which it is used, and also by the environment in which it is consumed. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and is generally of nutritional quality, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, or minerals. The primary constituents are generally of carbon, nitrogen, and water. The type of food that humans consume depends on the type of physiological function, they are required to perform.

The animal products are those formed by living animals. These animals are mainly composed of tissues and live cells such as skin, blood, bones, teeth, hooves, fur, organs, muscles, and organs. Meat, fish, dairy products, eggs, and poultry can be considered as animal food. Animal foods are generally a mixture of protein and fat with the proportion being approximately 50%.

Plants produce food, which is what people eat. These include vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, seeds, and roots. Plant foods provide carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and some other key nutrients. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes are the richest in macro-nutrients. Milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter are included in the diet of most people. The carbohydrates that plants contain are in the form of starches.

The third main class of food is that of food additives. There are thousands of different food additives that are added to food each day. Some of these food additives are legally required by law to be added to food. Examples of these legal additives include sugar, yeast, milk, vinegar, corn, salt, and artificial flavorings. These additives have become controversial over time, largely due to their possible health effects, especially for animals.

The fourth main food group is that of dairy and meat. A balanced diet consists of a variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and small amounts of meats. Dairy and meat are usually a large part of the diet, but they should be eaten in small portions. Meats are generally used as a source of protein.

The fifth food group, fats, is made up of oils, such as those from olives, canola, olive, safflower, and other vegetable oils. Some nuts, margarine, and butter are also considered to be fats. Fats are important in many instances, but in others, they can be considered unhealthy, because they contain too many calories. In order to get the proper amount of nutrients, it is best to have a healthy combination of the five food groups.