The Diets That You Should Eat

Food is any material used in the process of feeding a living being to give them nourishment. In the human diet, food usually constitutes all edible materials that can be consumed by humans, with the exception of fat and salt. Normally, food is classified into three major groups: animal, vegetable and fungus. Animal food refers to all edible parts of an animal, including fur, meat, bones, organs, blood and nails; vegetable food refers to plants and other plants of vegetable origin; and fungus food is to all parts of animals that are not plant-based. Food may be preserved, but generally is not cooked before consumption.

Fatty acids, one of the main components of food, are needed to manufacture energy and carry chemical reactions. The body uses fat to manufacture some of its own hormones, enzymes and vitamins. Vegetable and fruit oils, nuts, margarine, butter, canola and sunflower oils are good sources of fatty acids. Foods that contain high levels of dietary fiber are also high in fats. Fats can be used for energy, as well as for making solid fats that are used in cooking.

Carbohydrates are found in many different foods. Common carbohydrates come from vegetables, whole grains, fruits, legumes, some nuts and seeds, dairy products and refined carbohydrates, which consist of table sugar, white bread and pasta. The recommended daily allowance of carbohydrates is about five grams per day for people on a balanced diet; most people ingest twice that amount. For those who need extra carbohydrates in their diet to help with weight loss or to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, a special diet may be recommended by a doctor.

Macronutrients are food components that contribute to health and the growth of an individual. They include protein, fat, fibre, minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates. There is some debate about the optimal number of macronutrients for a healthy adult. Many nutritionists and doctors recommend a range of around 35% of daily calories to provide energy, feel satiated and lead a healthy lifestyle.

People who follow a low calorie, low fat and low carb diets or who engage in physical activity at least three times a week are usually assigned a trial period where they can try a new food or a new combination of foods. The results of this study session are then published in a journal and the results of this diet trial are given to all the participants. Usually, the study session lasts about two weeks. During this period, the participants eat large amounts of the new diet foods or they receive large amounts of one of their regular food groups.

Food intake is based on availability. This means that if you live in a city then you have access to more variety of food sources than someone who lives in a country with fewer food sources. This does not mean that the country people eat less per person, just that they have less options. The number of choices available may be more or less than the number of choices available to a person living in a city. However, when it comes to nutrition the rule is still the same; eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and proteins.