Ten Sorts Of Food (And The Nutrients They Provide)
The primary food groups are legumes, grains, dairy, and meat.
Food is the body’s principal source of nutrition. They provide us with proteins that form our molecules, vitamins that catalyze physiological processes, and carbs that provide us with energy.
This article will examine the key food groups and the nutrients they contain. Fruits and vegetables; grains; legumes; tubers; dried fruit; meat and eggs; dairy; oil and fat derivatives; meals high in sugar, salt, or fat; and nutritious drinks.
Next, we’ll cover the top ten food categories. Although this is not the only way to classify foods, we choose to focus on the most vital nutrients and their influence on the body’s health.
It may also be classified into macronutrients and micronutrients. Macroscopic nutrients are sometimes known as immediate principles. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are included.
Conversely, micronutrients are small nutrients found in diet.
These are trace elements. Vitamins and minerals are included. Finally, water is not a nutrient, but it is highly significant in the composition of food.
Fruits and vegetables
Many people’s diets rely on these plant-based foods for vitamins and minerals. Vegetables and fruits are also incredibly nutritious, meaning they are rich in vitamins and minerals and low in calories. They are also high in fibre, which helps digestion and prevents weight gain by making you feel full.
Experts advise 5 pieces daily: 3 fruit and 2 veggies. One of the veggies should be raw, while the other should be prepared to maximise vitamin and mineral content.
Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, whereas green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin A.
Cereals, breads, pasta and other derivatives
This category contains foods made from cereals such as wheat, maize, oats, rice, quinoa, barley, rye, millet, or sorghum.
These foods are high in carbs, which the body uses as a source of energy. Retaining the germ and bran makes whole grain cereals more nutritious.
Legumes (or legumes)
Lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, peas or peas, broad beans, and peanuts are all legumes. These foods are comparable to cereals and tubers, but include more protein and iron. They go well with cereal-based diets.
Tubers
These subterranean stems store most of a plant’s nutrients. The most common are the potato and sweet potato. This meal is high in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, but lacking in protein.
Nuts
WALNUTS ALSO CONTAIN PROTEIN. However, they are high in fat and should be used in moderation.
Because they contain beneficial fats, their intake must be regulated.
Meat, fish and eggs
These foods are rich in protein and iron, with varying amounts of fat. Oily fish like salmon and tuna are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are better than those found in other animal sources.
Notably, farmed fish have far lower omega-3 concentrations than wild fish. The former may also include more hazardous chemicals (such as heavy metals).
If you can’t consume wild fish, go for tiny fish, which contain omega-3 but are less hazardous.
Milk and milk products
Dairy products are abundant in calcium, which is necessary for bone formation. They are high in animal proteins, phosphate, fatty acids, and carbs, especially lactose.
Oils, fats and butter
Butter and vegetable oils are examples of foods with poor nutritional value and high calorie content. These concentrations vary based on the kind of oil or fat.
For example, olive oil has less calories than palm or coconut oil.
The latter should be used in moderation to prevent potential health issues, particularly cardiovascular issues.
Foods high in fat, sugar and salt
Experts advise avoiding these meals due to their high sugar, salt, and saturated fat content, which promotes weight gain and physical illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even certain cancers.
Drinks
Aside from water, which is essential for the body’s healthy functioning and is found in all meals, other beverages such as coffee, tea, and sugary drinks should be mentioned.
While it is true that coffee, tea, and infusions may be good in moderation, sugary, carbonated, or stimulant beverages may be detrimental to health.
Alcohol also contains a lot of empty calories, or calories devoid of nutrition. For example, a single glass of red wine has as many calories as two yogurts or an apple.
Besides, they are beverages and hence hydrate us (like beer), although this is not true. Consumption of any alcoholic beverage will exacerbate dehydration.
Also, Read : Top Things to Know Before You Travel to Australia
Fun Fact
How many food types are there?
The Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization use a system with nineteen food classifications: cereals, roots, pulses and nuts, milk, eggs, fish and shellfish, meat, insects, vegetables, fruits, fats and oils, sweets and sugars, spices and condiments, beverages, foods for nutritional uses, food …