DIET
In
nutrition, the diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism.Dietary
habits are the habitual decisions an individual or culture makes when choosing
what foods to eat. Although humans are omnivores, each culture holds some food
preferences and some food taboos. Individual dietary choices may be more or
less healthy. Proper nutrition requires the proper ingestion and equally important,
the absorption of vitamins, minerals, and fuel in the form of carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in health
and mortality, and can also define cultures and play a role in religion.
Receiving adequate nutrition through a well-balanced diet is critical during childhood and adolescence. Unless a doctor says otherwise, low-carb, low-fat, or other specialty diets for children who are not heavily obese are unhealthy because they deprive the body of the building blocks of cells.Food provides nutrients from six broad classes: proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, dietary minerals, and water. Carbohydrates are metabolized to provide energy. Proteins provide amino acids, which are required for cell, especially muscle, construction. Essential fatty acids are required for brain and cell membrane construction. Vitamins and trace minerals help maintain proper electrolyte balance and are required for many metabolic processes.Any diet that fails to meet minimum nutritional requirements can threaten general health (and physical fitness in particular). If a person is not well enough to be active, weight loss and good quality of life will be unlikely.(1)
source
(1) wikipedia