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All foods contain nutrients. We eat food to give us energy as well as to obtain these nutrients, which perform various important functions
in our body. Most often, when  people go on a diet, they overlook this fact and feel that no matter what they eat, as long as they get some energy that is enough. Therefore, we have people who go on diets consisting only of fruits, vegetables, juices, soups, idlis, etc. This is dangerous for the body as there
are many nutrients which are essential every day and deficiency of these results in hair fall, bone and teeth damage, poor blood
functioning (anemia), muscular weakness, sagging and wrinkling of skin and an overall deterioration of health and fitness.
| A ‘Nutrient’ is a substance obtained from food. | | There are six classes of nutrients | | Water | Makes
up 60% of the body. | | Minerals | Important for teeth, bones and blood. | | Vitamins | Important for many vital processes of the body. |
| Carbohydrates | Energizer - Keeps your body vigorous and active. | | Proteins | Body builder - building blocks of the body, important for growth, maintenance and repair. |
| Fats |
Reserve Fuel - Provides energy but excess of it gets converted to body fat.
| Providing a proper balanced supply of these nutrients ensures the smooth and efficient running of my body. Providing water, oil and petrol ensures the smooth and efficient running of my car. Water, minerals and vitamins do not give us any energy but play crucial roles in the efficient functioning of my body. If I don’t oil the hinges of my door it will still open and shut but it will
creak. If oiled it functions smoothly. Minerals and vitamins are the oil in the machinery of my body. Carbohydrates, proteins and
fats, all provide the petrol or fuel. | |
