Food is any substance ingested to provide nutrition to an organism. It is consumed either to sustain life or to avoid death. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and usually contains vital nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or other minerals.

Humans consume food in three main ways: to satisfy hunger; to give energy to perform activities; or to neutralize chemicals that are harmful to the body.

In order to survive, the human body requires a variety of nutrients from carbohydrates, fats and proteins to maintain health and proper functioning. Most modern diets lack adequate sources of these nutrients and therefore are unable to provide the amount of calories needed by the body. Many foods also contain significant amounts of fat, some more than others, which can be a problem if one is attempting to lose weight or to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Typical American Diet 

The typical American diet typically contains too much fat and too little fiber to meet the daily needs of most individuals, despite the fact that a good portion of calories is spent on red meats, eggs and dairy products. Some research indicates that a diet low in saturated fats is beneficial for reducing the risk of heart disease and some forms of cancer. Other dietary concerns include insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin D, calcium and potassium, as well as inadequate levels of essential fatty acids (EFAs), particularly butane, hydroquinone and lanolin. Foods high in fat and oil contain only a small percentage of the vitamins and minerals found in foods with less fat and oil, so most people do not take advantage of the benefits of adding these fats to the diet.

One group that is often overlooked when discussing the topic of nutrition is the dairy product group, which includes milk, cheese, yoghurt, butter, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy products. Among all these, milk is probably the best source of calcium, as well as protein and vitamin D. It also contains numerous other nutrients and fat-soluble vitamins. The fat found in milk is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids that can be particularly beneficial to the cardiovascular system.

But what about those delicious offal products – the remains of meat and organs?

These are grouped into four categories: proteins (proteins and amino acids), carbohydrates (fibers and starches), vitamins and minerals (including vitamin D, potassium and riboflavin) and fats. In addition, there are various groups of enzymes and hormones that are also included in foods. Many nutrients that we derive our nutritional energy from are derived from these macronutrients. They form part of the macro nutrients group of nutrients and are separated into several subgroups, such as antioxidants and vitamins, minerals and hormones. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are examples of the categories of fats and oils.

Researchers suggest that a better way to obtain a nutritionally balanced diet is by cutting back on processed foods and increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. You may not like to hear this, but it’s the truth. So, what do you do? Try out some of the following suggestions. They’re a great way to start!