Components of food

COMPONENTS OF FOOD

•    The science of food that deals with the dynamic process in which the food consumed is digested; nutrients are absorbed; distributed to body tissues for utilization and wastes are disposed off the body is called nutrition.

•    The food that we eat consists of different nutrients or components.

•    There are six main components present in food that fulfill the basic requirements of our body.

Carbohydrates:

•    Carbohydrates are made up of hydrocarbon (hydrogen & carbon) molecules.

•    Carbohydrates are foods that give us energy.

•    They are necessary part of a healthy diet for both children and adults.

•    Most foods that have a lot of carbohydrates in them are fruit, oatmeal, bread, honey, rice, corn, millet, barley, noodles, etc.

•    Carbohydrates are classified into two major types:

Simple Carbohydrates:

•    Simple carbohydrates are called simple sugars.

•    Simple sugars are found in refined sugars.

•    Fruits are natural sources of sugar.

•    Honey contains sugar.

•    Milk contains a type of sugar called lactose.

•    Table sugar contains sucrose which is added to tea and coffee.

Complex carbohydrates:

•    Complex carbohydrates are called starch.

•    Grain products such as bread, crackers, pasta, and rice contain starch.

Note:

•    Processing of refined grains such as white flour and white rice removes nutrients and fibre.

•    Unrefined grains still contain vitamins and minerals.