FOODS

FOOD

A balanced diet prevent disease, enables the body to grow and keeps it healthy.

For a balanced diet you need to know:

The characteristics of the food you are eating and their function in the body.

The nutrients in the food.

The daily amount of energy necessary.

Food and their functions

Food can be classified into three groups:

BUILDING BLOCKS

Provide the structure for cells, tissue and organs.

Replace damaged structures, enable growth and repair.

ENERGY PRODUCERS

Produce energy to be used immediatly or to be stored for use it later.

BODY REGULATIONS

Provide essential substances which regulate the use of other foods. It also enables the body to carry out its functions.

The food wheel

The food wheel is used to classify the food into six different groups by composition (proteins, lipids, etc.) and also by origin. The size of each section of the food wheel represents the importance of the section in a healthy diet.

They produce energy

They build body structures

They are body regulators

GROUP I

It's made up primarly with carbohydrates

Sources: potatoes, cereals and sugar

GROUP II

It's made up primarly with ipids

Sources: oils and butter

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GROUP III

It's made up primarly with poteins

Sources: dairy products

GROUP IV

It's made up primarly with proteins

Sources: dairy products

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GROUP V

It's made up primarly with vitamins and minerals

Sources: vegetables

GROUP VI

It's made up primarly with vitamins and minerals

Sources: fruit