Food is the basic necessity of life. It is defined as any substance of either plant or animal origin consumed to provide nutritional support for an organism. Its nutrients provide energy, help growth, repair worn-out tissues and protect from diseases. Food is often contaminated or adulterated for financial gain. Food laws exist to maintain the quality of food produced in our country.
1. Classes of Nutrients
Nutrients are classified into the following major groups:
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins
- Fats
- Vitamins
- Minerals
2. Carbohydrates, Proteins and Fats
Carbohydrates
- Organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.
- An essential nutrient that provides the chief source of energy to the body.
- Examples: glucose, sucrose, lactose, starch, cellulose.
- Classified, on the basis of the number of sugar molecules, into monosaccharide (glucose), disaccharide (sucrose) and polysaccharide (cellulose).