Food is one of the basics of human needs. We humans consume many things as food starting from breast milk fruits and vegetables to foods of different types. Food provides the body with adequate essential nutrient for proper functioning of the body activities, promotion and of well being and health, provides the body with energy for work, protect the body against diseases, and provide materials for growth, repair, maintenance and reproduction.

According to bender’s dictionary food is what we eat but not everything we eat is food, unless what we eat fulfils the functions as food, it is not food.

We have heard about cereals, legumes, animal foods, starchy foods, fruits, vegetables, fats and oil, and flavouring food but do u know what they are?

Cereals:

also called grains these includes foods like rice, corn, wheat, sorghum, maize, flour, millet, oats, barley

These are main sources of complex carbohydrate and the largest part of energy we need for our daily activities come from them. The abundant use of cereals especially oats has beneficial result on diabetes and other metabolic problems and also cuts down on the risk of cancer. They are good sources of minerals and vitamins like vitamin A.

Starchy foods:

they are seen everywhere and they include cassava, yam, potatoes, coco yam, and plantain.

They give energy and plenty of nutrients apart from protein content which is poor. Some roots and starchy foods are considered as vegetable

Legumes:

they refer to any plant that has seeds in long pods and are

Groundnuts, beans, Soybeans, peas. They account for about 5% of foods one has to consume. Most legumes contain anti-nutrient i.e they hinder some minerals from functioning properly in the body.so it is advisable to eat legumes with moderation.

Vegetables and fresh fruits:

They provide a good quantity of plant fibre, simple carbohydrate (sugars) and complex carbohydrates (starch), vitamins and minerals. Fruits are the main source of vitamin C especially in citric fruits like oranges, lemon, grape fruits, all fruits contain protein but in little quantity. Fruits include

Avocados, pawpaw, water melon, mangoes, kiwi, yellow fruits are excellent sources of vitamin A

Vegetables contains small quantity of protein and supply iron and vitamin A and these includes

Pumpkin, green peas, green leaves of all kinds like bitter leave (onugbu) and prolonged washing of these green leaves removes most of the nutrients in them, coloured vegetables such as carrots, tomatoes, spinach, pepper have important quality of vitamin A(carotene) which plays a preventive part against the formation of malignant tumours.it is however necessary to eat five fruits/vegetables daily as it can go a long way to maintain good health.

Animal foods

Foods of animal origin such as meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese and eggs are rich sources of quality proteins human body needs. They form 5-15% of food intake in most places. They supply the body with vitamins especially B-complex groups and minerals. Red meat and eggs especially are a good source of iron. Some milk e.g buffalo milk is an exceptional sources of protein, calcium, and B-complex vitamins, particularly riboflavin, the milk fat contains vitamin A and D.Egg which is an excellent source of protein belongs to animal foods. They are rich in iron, calcium, fat soluble vitamins and improved quality of food especially for children

Fats and oil

Fats and oil contributes to food quality. They are important sources of energy and fat soluble vitamins. They tend to add taste.

Other food types include flavouring foods like onion. Curry, garlic, ginger, ehuru, uziza, uda, yellow pepper

pwetty info...u jst reminded me on d importance of dis foods to our bodies especially d fruits and vegetables.