Diet and Nutrition Overview

Diet and Health

• Food is essential for life, providing materials for growth, repair, and normal bodily function
• The body is like a machine; poor maintenance (poor diet) leads to faults and weaknesses
• Balanced diet crucial for health and fitness
• Food contains molecules (nutrients) that give flavour, colour, and texture
• Nutrients are vital for bodily functions, and deficiency can result in health problems

Nutrition

• Nutrition is the study of nutrients' relationship with food
• Most foods contain multiple nutrients, while some contain only one
• A variety of foods is needed to provide all necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities
• Studying nutrition helps understand the food and its effects on the body

Definitions

• Diet: The food a person regularly consumes
• Malnutrition: Imbalanced intake of nutrients (either too little or too much)
• Under-nutrition: Insufficient total intake of nutrients
• Balanced diet: Provides the right amount of nutrients for an individual's needs

Metabolism

• The human body is made of cells grouped into systems (tissues and organs each with a role).
• Chemical reactions take place constantly in the body to maintain functions, growth, and repair