Food And Us Essay

Introduction Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for our body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals. The substance is ingested by an organism and assimilated by the organism’s cells in an effort to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth. Historically, people secured food through two methods: hunting and gathering, and agriculture. Today, most of the food energy consumed by the world population is supplied by the food industry. Food and the nutrients obtained from food are vital to keep the body healthy and alive. Nutrients are required in order to build and repair cells and body tissues, maintain the organs and bones in optimum working condition and to provide energy, fuel and warmth. Good nutrition is essential for good health and eating nutritious food can help to prevent against common ailments, as well as more life threatening illnesses and diseases. Foods from plant sources Food sources All food has its origin in plants. Some food is obtained directly from plants; but even animals that are used as food sources are raised by feeding them food derived from plants. Cereal grain is a staple food that provides more food energy worldwide than any other type of crop. Maize, wheat, and rice – in all of their varieties – account for 87% of all grain production worldwide. Most of the grain that is produced worldwide is fed to livestock. Other foods not from animal or plant sources include various edible fungi, especially mushrooms. Fungi and ambient bacteria are used in the preparation of fermented and pickled foods like leavened bread, alcoholic drinks, cheese, pickles, kombucha, and yogurt. Another example is blue-green algae such as Spirulina.[3] Inorganic substances such as baking soda and cream of tartar are also used to chemically alter an ingredient. Below are pictures of Oats, barley, and some food products made from cereal grains, Maize, Wheat and Rice. Food From Plants Many plants or plant parts are eaten as food. There are around 2,000 plant species which are cultivated for food, and many have several distinct cultivars. Seeds of plants are a good source of food for animals, including humans, because they contain the nutrients necessary for the plant’s initial growth, including many healthful fats, such as Omega fats. In fact, the majority of food consumed by human beings are seed-based foods. Edible seeds include cereals (maize, wheat, rice, et cetera), legumes (beans, peas, lentils, et cetera), and nuts. Oilseeds are often pressed to produce rich oils. [pic] Varieties of soybean seeds, a popular legume and freshly dug peanuts Fruits are the ripened ovaries of plants, including the seeds within. Many plants have evolved fruits that are attractive as a food source to animals, so that animals will eat the fruits and excrete the seeds some distance away. Fruits, therefore, make up a significant part of the diets of most cultures. Some botanical fruits, such as tomatoes, pumpkins, and eggplants, are eaten as vegetables. Vegetables are a second type of plant matter that is commonly eaten as food. These include root vegetables (potatoes and carrots), bulbs (onion family), leaf vegetables (spinach and lettuce), stem vegetables (bamboo shoots and asparagus), and inflorescence vegetables (globe artichokes and broccoli and other vegetables such as cabbage or cauliflower) Varieties of Fruits and Vegetables Food From Animals Animals are used as food either directly or indirectly by the products they produce. Meat is an example of a direct product taken from an animal, which comes from muscle systems or from organs. Food products produced by animals include milk produced by mammary glands, which in many cultures is drunk or processed into dairy products (cheese, butter, et cetera). In addition, birds and other animals lay eggs, which are often eaten, and bees produce honey, a reduced nectar from flowers, which is a popular sweetener in many cultures. Some cultures consume blood, sometimes in the form of blood sausage, as a thickener for sauces, or in a cured, salted form for times of food scarcity, and others use blood in stews such as jugged hare. Some cultures and people do not consume meat or animal food products for cultural, dietary, health, ethical, or ideological reasons. Vegetarians do not consume meat. Vegans do not consume any foods that are or contain ingredients from an animal source. Fish also provides a good source of high quality protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. It may be classed as either whitefish, oily or shellfish. Various meet types, animal products and Fish. Why We Need Food Food is important for humans because it contains all the nutrients and vitamins that we need in order for us to function correctly. If we didn’t eat food then we would become too skinny and ill, we would constantly be weak and we wouldn’t be able to grow. To be healthy, we must have enough food and the right kinds of foods. Not enough food, not enough different kinds of food, and even too much food can make us unhealthy. How much is just enough food? People need different kinds and amounts of food. We need more food if we are in a stage of growth, such as infants, children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are. We need more food if we work and play hard. And we may need more food if we are sick. Your body needs fuel to run. That fuel comes from nutrients. Nutrients come from food. There six classes of nutrients found in food. They include: carbohydrates fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. By giving your body the proper amounts of nutrients and energy, you’re giving yourself a better chance at staying healthy. Healthy Foods Healthy Foods vs. Unhealthy Foods Healthy eating means consuming the right quantities of foods from all food groups in order to lead a healthy life. Diet is often referred to as some dietary regimen for losing weight. However, diet simply means what food we eat in the course of a 24-hour, one week, or one month, etc. period. A good diet is a nutritional lifestyle that promotes good health. A good diet must include several food groups because one single group cannot provide everything a human needs for good health. The crucial part of healthy eating is a balanced diet. A balanced diet – or a good diet – means consuming from all the different good groups in the right quantities. Nutritionists say there are five main food groups – whole grains, fruit and vegetables, protein, diary, and fat & sugar. Unhealthy or Junk food is an informal term applied to some foods that are perceived to have little or no nutritional value (i.e. containing â€Å"empty calories†); to products with nutritional value, but also have ingredients considered unhealthy when regularly eaten; or to those considered unhealthy to consume at all. Junk foods are typically ready-to-eat convenience foods containing high levels of saturated and / or trans fats, salt, or sugar, and little or no fruit, vegetables, or dietary fiber; and are considered to have little or no health benefits. Common junk foods include salted snack foods like chips (crisps), candy, gum, most sweet desserts, fried fast food and carbonated beverages (sodas) as well as alcoholic beverages. High-sugar cereals, particularly those targeted at children, such as Fruit candies, are also classified as junk food. Summary In summary, we need to understand that our bodies are like a machine. What we eat and what our bodies turn our food into is the fuel our bodies run on. The healthy food choices you make can determine if your body runs smoothly or bumpy. Scientific studies have shown that what we eat does in fact impact our health. We all know we need to make healthy food choices when we eat and when we grocery shop. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are healthy. Trans fat or hydrogenated oils are two fats to stay away from. So where do I start making healthy food choices and what do I need to think about when I am out at the grocery store?