Page 10 - Food And Human

Form One

Providing energy to the body: The body needs energy for various activities.
Carbohydrate and fat-rich foods are the main sources of energy for the body.

Building and repairing body cells and worn-out tissues: Body tissues are continually
broken down and dying requiring repair and replacement to maintain overall health.
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Foods rich in proteins, minerals and water are required to build and replace body
cells and worn-out tissues.
Regulating body processes: Foods that contain fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins
and water perform regulatory functions such as maintaining body temperature and
activating enzymes.

Protecting the body against diseases: Food provides vitamins and minerals that
protect the body from diseases. Vitamins and minerals are also important in digestion
and other body processes. Examples of protective foods are fruits and vegetables.

Strengthening social relations: Eating food together creates an atmosphere where
social relations can be developed. Food helps in bringing people from different
classes, communities and religions together.

Identifi cation: Food can be used to identify individuals from different backgrounds
such as ethnic and or cultural backgrounds. For example, the preference for bananas
among the people of Bukoba and Kilimanjaro illustrates part of their cultural identity.

Classifi cation of food
Food can be classifi ed based on the function it performs in the body, its chemical

composition, the chemical properties of nutrients and its source or origin.
Classifi cation of food based on the function it performs in the body

Considering this criterion, foods are classifi ed as energy-giving foods, body-building
foods and protective foods.

Energy-giving foods: Foods rich in carbohydrates and fats provide energy, which is
essential for performing physical activities and the basic functioning of the body.
These foods are called energy-giving foods. Foods that are good sources of energy
include cereals, roots, tubers, and fats, such as butter, ghee and oils.

Body-building foods: One of the most important functions of food is building the
body. Foods rich in protein are called body-building foods. These foods help to

maintain life and promote growth and repair of damaged body tissues. Body building

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Food and Human Nutrition

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