Food is any material eaten to supply nutrition to an organism. In its simplest form, food is any matter that an organism needs to survive. The term food refers to any chemical substance used to promote the growth or reproduction of organisms. Food is generally of animal, plant or even fungal type, and carries necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or minerals for the organisms’ normal growth and maintenance. The five most important food groups are carbohydrates, protein, fat, vegetables and fruits.
Carbohydrates are those molecules that provide the body with energy, such as glucose, glycogen, blood sugar, etc., and are found in many foods including cereals, breads, pasta, rice and fruits. They provide a supply of energy without being made by the body, which makes them simple carbohydrates. The main source of carbohydrates in the diet is through the consumption of fruit and vegetables. Other sources of carbohydrates are beans and legumes (such as black beans and kidney beans), wheat products and rice.
Proteins can be derived from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, seeds and oil. Fats can be derived from animal foods, plant foods and seeds, although they may be partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. Vegetable oils can be unsaturated fats (polyunsaturated fats) or polyunsaturated fats (saturated fats). A well-balanced diet food list should contain enough of these nutrients to ensure a balanced diet that provides all the nutrients necessary for good health.