Nutrition is the process in which food is taken in and used by the body. Food contains what the body needs to function 24 hours a day, every day. The human body uses food for:
Different foods provide you with different amounts of energy. Almost all food except salt and water give some energy. Some people need more food and resulting energy than others, depending on how active they are, what size they are, their age and sex.
Until you are about 18, your body makes new cells in order to grow. Pregnant women also need food for themselves and for the growing and developing foetus.
Everyone needs the proper amount of nutrients (vitamins, mineral, fibre and water) found in food. When these essential nutrients are missing, malnutrition, weight loss and deficiency disease may result.
Our bodies mend and repair injured and diseased tissue. Throughout life body cells wear out and are replaced all the time. After 7 years, each cell in an adult's body (except tooth and brain cells) has died and been replaced. All the material for new cells comes from food.
Food energy is measured by means of a unit called a calorie. Our daily diet should include sufficient amounts of calories from quality foods. If the food intake is less that the energy used, weight loss will occur. If the food intake is more than the energy used, weight gain will occur.
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