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WHAT DO WE MEAN BY NUTRITION?
Nutrition is the science of food in relation to health. It has evolved
from interest in clinical diseases caused by single nutrient deficiencies
such as scurvy (lack of vitamin C) and from studies involving cardaic
problems, diabetes and many others. Nowadays the focus on nutrition
is based on a new definition of health as 'prevention of disease in
which nutrition plays a key role'. The word 'nutrient' is a broad term
to describe all dietary substances used by the body to ensure normal
development and maintain good health. The term, however, can be divided
into two distinct groups of dietary components:
So what is the dietary contribution to both a long and healthy life?
Enjoyment
Eating is not just for nourishment, it is one of life's great pleasures.
A food will not do anyone any good unless it is eaten. All five senses
contribute to the eating experience.
Taste and Pleasure
- Taste - Sweet, sour, salt, bitter (umami-meat flavour)
- Smell - Integrated with taste - smoky, spicy, fruity, sweet
- Sight - Expectation - colour, size, shape, appearance
- Touch - Lips, mouth and throat feel - firm, moist, smooth
- Sound - The noise of food being eaten - crunchy, sizzling
Food also contributes to our enjoyment from a social point of view.
Sharing a meal is a great way to relax and strengthen social bonds.
Food also plays a part in our cultural identity. Traditional dishes,
meals and festive foods vary between countries, regions and religions.
Variety
Apart from human milk for infants, no single food provides all the nutrients
required by the human body. Each food or dish contains a different mix
of nutrients, and it is the way foods are combined to make up the whole
diet that is important. The differences in food habits between nations
demonstrates that there are many routes to a healthy food mix.
Eat the right amount
It is now believed that increasingly sedentary lifestyles are making
it harder for people to control their weight. Taking action to increase
physical activity is the key, as this boosts calorie needs, making it
easier to eat the 'right' amount of food.
The scientific balance
It is now known that tipping the balance in favour of carbohydrates
rather than fat helps to regulate the appetite and contributes to long-term
health. In addition consumption of about five portions of fruit and
vegetables a day provides important antioxidant vitamins and other compounds
which protect against heart disease and cancer.
Eat, drink and be merry
There is no such thing as a good or bad food, all types of foods contribute
to a good diet as long as moderation is practised. Enjoyment and the
social and cultural aspects of eating are just as important to our long-term
well-being as the basic nutritional components. There is enough stress
in modern life without adding extra anxiety about what we eat.
Tips for a healthy mind and body
- Practise moderation in what you eat for most, but not all of the
time - the occasional indulgence will make you feel good
- Enjoy a wide range of foods - the nutritional quality of the diet
should be judged over a period of days not during one meal
- Take regular physical exercise - to stimulate your mind and body,
and to regulate your appetite
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