Kinds Of Food
Learn about kinds of food. Food is the primary thing that we crave in our daily lives. We can say that the kinds of food that we eat define our health and lifestyle. Food can be classified according to what we get from it. Four groups of food can be defined depending on the nutrients and constituents they provide our body. All of the four food groups are important, but some are dangerous when taken in excess.
Carbohydrate-rich Foods
The kinds of foods rich in carbohydrates are the main sources of energy for humans and animals. Carbohydrates are simple or complex sugars that fuel the body’s various processes. These are further broken down to aid in mental functions, as well as digestion, circulation and excretion. Sugars and starches are also main components in our dishes. Carbohydrates come from plants usually, but there are also other sources of these nutrients. Carbohydrate-rich foods include cereals and tubers, as well as fruits.
There is another type of carbohydrates that we need to function daily. These are fiber-types and they may seem to have no function at all because they cannot be digested. However, many sources have proven that fibrous carbohydrates such as those that can be obtained from celery and green vegetables can aid in the proper digestion of food in the intestines. They absorb water and they slow down the breakdown of food, so that the digestive process becomes more thorough.
Protein-rich Food
The kinds of food we need to build muscles contain tremendous amounts of protein. Proteins play a big role in growth and development of body tissues, as well as the repair of wounds. Most of the organs are made up of muscles, especially the heart. Proteins may also be the enzymes that our bodies use to improve the processing of wastes and nutrients.
Fatty Food
Fatty kinds of food have been viewed as bad for the health. But the truth is that there are certain processes in the human body that need fats. Lipids comprise fatty acids and other nutrients. While these are often taken from animals, many fats are obtained from vegetables. The most common function of fats in the body is insulation. The body can be subjected to extreme heat and cold from external and internal conditions. Without fats to insulate them, the body organs would be exposed to these conditions directly. Many cell membrane components also need replenishment with fatty acids and lipids to maintain the cell’s integrity.
Vitamin-rich Food
Vitamin-rich kinds of food are main requirements for anyone who wants to stay healthy. Vitamins are essential for improving resistance against diseases, especially air-borne pathogens. Ascorbic acid alone is needed to improve the body’s capacity to resist free radicals. Plenty of fruits contain vitamins and minerals, especially those that have been recognized as superfoods like grapefruit, cranberry, pineapple and apple. Dairy products can also qualify as vitamin-rich food because they contain calcium, fatty acids and proteins.
Our preferences may sometimes keep us from eating the kinds of food that we need to consume daily to avoid getting sick. For most people that can’t obtain the proper nutrients through natural food, there are always nutrient supplements available as substitutes.
