Welcome

Food Groups

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are our most important source of energy. We obtain the majority of our carbohydrates in the form of starch. Starch is found in food such as potato, rice, spaghetti, bread and cereals. After the body has taken the starch in, the digestive system then turns it into another carbohydrate called glucose. Once the digestive system has produce glucose it is then carried around the body in the blood stream and is used as an energy source.

Proteins

Protein is required for our growth and the healing of our body. Proteins are large molecules, which can't travel thought the blood stream. They first have to be turned into amino-acids by the digestive system. Then the amino-acids can travel into the blood stream. Our bodies can turn amino-acids back into proteins. To turn amino-acids into proteins they have to be combined in the correct order. There are many millions of possible combinations or sequences of amino-acids. The combinations are stored in our DNA.

Fats

Fats are another source of energy. That is stored beneath the skin which helps in insulating us from the cold. Most people think that by avoiding fats that they will not put weight on and will stay thin and elegant, this is not true. If you eat too much carbohydrates and protein, your body will convert some of it into fat, which will result in putting weight on. You must balance the amount of energy foods that you consume to the amount of exercise that you do.

Fibre

Fibre is a carbohydrate which can not be digested. If you do not consume enough fibre in your diet you can end up with problems with the colon and rectum. The muscles of you digestive system mix food with the digestive juices and push food along the intestines and if not enough fibre is not obtained in the diet these movements don't function properly.

Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals are important in our diet, but in small quantities.

· Vitamin A

Vitamin A; helps to keep skin smooth and healthy. Vitamin A is also needed for maintaining healthy eyes. People that don't receive enough Vitamin A in their diet may have a hard time seeing at night. Vitamin A is also believed to help prevent certain cancers.

· Vitamin B

Vitamin B helps the body to use the energy obtained from foods, it is also needed to maintain healthy blood.

· Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for the healing of wounds, and for the repair and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.

· Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat soluble which helps to maintain normal level calcium, it also help the body to harvest calcium.