Food is a resource that provides energy and nutrients for the body. It also protects the body from disease and enables us to have a healthy life.
People’s diets vary widely from country to country and even within a single country. This is partly because of geographic differences in the way people grow and eat their crops.
A country’s climate and soil are also factors. For example, people living in cool regions with short growing seasons often eat vegetables that mature quickly, such as potatoes. In warm, wet lowlands, rice is a common staple.
Meat is another food that varies widely in the world. Animals, such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, provide protein, vitamins, and minerals to the body. The major producers of meat include the United States, Australia, Russia, and Argentina.
Fruits and vegetables are other foods that can be part of a healthy diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green, dark-coloured ones, are full of antioxidants, which fight diseases and improve health.
Grain products are also important for a healthy diet. They provide starch (energy) and some protein, as well as micronutrients and dietary fibre. They also contain fats, which are essential for the body.
Grains include wheat, rye, barley, oats, and cornmeal. They are used to make breads, pastas, cereals and other products.
Legumes and oilseeds are other food sources of protein, some micronutrients and dietary fibre. A range of legumes, including beans, lentils, peas and chickpeas, are good for a healthy diet.
Eating a balanced diet is about having a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups at each meal. It is also about consuming foods that have the recommended amounts of key nutrients, such as a range of vitamins and minerals, and fibre.
Vegetables are the fruits, leaves and seeds of plants that have been eaten by people for many years. They provide a wide range of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.
Milk, cheese and other dairy products are other sources of protein and vitamins. They are also rich in fatty acids, which protect and strengthen the body.
Fish, such as tilapia and tuna, is another source of protein and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for the brain and heart.
Meat is another source of protein and vitamins, and it can also be a good source of fibre. It is also a source of zinc and other trace minerals, such as iron.
It is important to eat a balanced diet, and to get the required amounts of each of the main nutrients, so that we are healthy and can live long, productive lives. This will help to reduce the risk of developing many diseases, including cardiovascular problems and cancer.
