Food is any material consumed to give nutrition to organisms. Food is generally of vegetable, animal or fungus origin, and consists of nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, or iron. Food is used in the human diet to obtain energy, to heal wounds, to grow and develop, to build immunity, to maintain a healthy body weight and to store energy. Our ancestors have been consuming food for survival and to meet personal requirements since their existence in the world.
The modern Western diet provides more food for our body requirements than the body can digest, requiring the use of food supplements to meet some of these needs. A complete protein has all essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. All foods containing protein must be converted into the complete proteins. Protein is required for energy production, to repair body tissue, bones and muscles, and to perform many of the body’s normal functions. It is important that all Americans take a daily multivitamin supplement, which includes complete proteins, because inadequate nutrition has caused many illnesses and diseases over the years.
Vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, milk and dairy products, eggs, poultry, lean meats, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and herbal teas or extracts constitute the dietary fiber in a typical American diet. These food groups provide an array of nutrients to help people stay healthy and fit. Many of these food groups contain a wide variety of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega fatty acids, fiber, anti-oxidants and antimicrobial agents. Plants provide a wide range of food sources, including nuts, seeds, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and herbs, which are the major source of dietary fiber. The fiber in vegetables and fruit is insoluble, whereas some plant fiber is soluble in water.