There are seven main classes of nutrients that the body needs. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water. It is important that everyone consumes these seven nutrients on a daily basis to help them build their bodies and maintain their health. Deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in diet can produce negative impacts on health, which may lead to diseases. Carbohydrates are referred to as energy-giving foods. They provide energy in the form of calories that the body needs to be able to work, and to support other functions. Proteins are needed in our diets for growth, They also play an important role in making essential hormones and enzymes, in tissue repair, preserving lean muscle mass, and supplying energy in times when carbohydrates are not available.Saturated fats are usually solid at cool temperatures. Eating too much saturated fat is not good for a person’s health, as it can cause heart and blood vessel problems.Unsaturated fats are usually liquid at room temperature. These types of fats are healthy fats. Vitamins are groups of related substances present in small amounts in foodstuffs and are necessary for the body to function normally. Vitamins are also called protective foods. They are grouped together because, as their name implies, they are a vital factor in the diet.Fibre is a mixture of different carbohydrates which are not digested like other nutrients but pass through the gut nearly unchanged. Foods rich in fibre are ‘kocho’; vegetables like cabbage, ‘kosta’, carrots, cassava; fruits like banana and avocado; peas and beans; whole-grain cereals like wheat flour and refined maize or sorghum.People can live without solid food for a few weeks, but we cannot live without water for more than a few days. An adult needs about 2–3 litres of water each day.
Diet:A diet which is composed of staples, legumes and vegetables or fruits is a good, balanced diet because this combination of foods will provide most of the nutrients that the people in your community need. The problem with the diet above is a lack of animal sources of food. Animal sources are good because they contain plenty of protein, have high energy (due to the fats), and the iron is easily absorbed compared with the iron sourced from plants. Therefore adding small amounts of animal products like meat, milk and eggs to staples, legumes and vegetables will improve the balanced diet. As well as protein, animal foods will also provide fat (for energy) and vitamins (especially vitamin A and folate), iron and zinc. But these foods may not be easily available and even if they are, they are usually expensive.In order to have a good balanced diet, people in your community will need to eat other foods in addition to the staple foods. The additional foods are important because they:
Provide nutrients that may not be available in the staple food. For example, legumes such as peas, beans and lentils add protein, iron and other minerals and fat; green and yellow vegetables and fruits add vitamins A and C, folate, and fibre
Make the food less bulky
Make the diet more tasty and interesting to eat.The best way to help individuals in your community prepare a balanced diet is to learn which foods people use, the amount of different foods available, and how they prepare their meals. Then you can decide if people need help or further support or information to improve the balance of things they eat.
Fat and added sugars come mostly from fats, oils and sweets, but can be part of or added to food from the other food groups as well.
Explanation: Okie that's for the first one!
If you want the diet one ill make one for ya!
