Food Groups

This is a basic list of Food groups.

• Liquids
• Breads & Cereals - Carbohydrates
• Vegetables & Fruits
• Meat, Fish, Eggs - Protein
• Milk & Dairy
• Fats & Sugars

These groups, and the recommended servings from each group, can be shown in a triangle, usually called the Food Pyramid. It serves as a good illustration to show sensible nutrition. I will be discussing our recommended daily intake of each of the food groups in a seperate post.

Liquids

The body loses water throughout the day and it must be replaced to prevent dehydration, particularly during the summer months. Water dilutes toxic wastes in the body and transports fuel to the working tissues. It also regulates your temperature. The normal daily liquid requirement is about two litres, and can be made up from water, tea, coffee, fruit juices etc.

Carbohydrates (Breads, Cereals, Potatoes)

All the foods in the carbohydrate group, with the exception of potatoes, start their life as a grain of some sort e.g. wheat, rice, corn & barley. The more unrefined - the healthier they are. They are divided into 2 groups - simple and complex carbohydrates. They give us energy, and are an essential part of the healthy diet.

Vegetables & Fruits

Veg & Fruit are an essential part of a healthy diet. They have been found to prevent some cancers & heart disease. They provide us with fibre which aids digestion. They provide essential vitamins and minerals.

Protein - Meat, Fish, Eggs

Protein builds and repairs the body. Proteins consist of smaller units called amino acids, which can link together in many combinations to form chains. The essential amino acids that our bodies need come from our diet.

Milk & Dairy

Calcium is an essential mineral, found in dairy products, that affects our bones and teeth. We need calcium to ensure that our bones retain their density as we age.

Fats & Sugars

Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet, in small quantities, and the right kind of fat ! (More on this later). Fat transports fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. It can contain essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are thought to have a positive effect on the health of your heart and immune system. t's a concentrated source of energy.

Sugar is a high energy food, but one which can be detrimental to our health if consumed in large quantities.