2. What is food?
Food is that which nourishes the body.
It can be defined as anything that meets the needs
for energy, building, regulation and protection of the
body.
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
3. What is nutrition?
Nutrition is defined as food at work in the body.
It is the scientific study of food and its relation to
health
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
4. Functions of food
Physiological function
Body building or growth
Providing energy
Regulation of body process (beating of the heart etc)
Protective function.( recovery from diseases)
Maintenance and repairs
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
5. Psychological function
They give a sense of comfort, security, love and
attention.
Sharing of food among friend is a token of friendship
and acceptance
Friendly get together help in introducing us to new
foods
Foods are associated with emotions like sweets and
chocolates for celebration
Food is used for reward and punishment.
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
6. Social function
Food serves as a reason for get togethers.
Temples, gurudwaras serve same food to all
Birthdays , marriage and others celebrations become
reasons to serve food
Males are given more and better food due to their
higher status in the society
Refreshments served at get togethers bring more
people together rather then dividing them
Food planned must be wholesome and enjoyable
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
7. Some important definitions
Nutrients: Nutrients are chemical components of
food that supply nourishment to the body.
Nutrition: nutrition is the science of food and its
interaction with an organism to promote and
maintain health.
Health: it is a state of complete physical, mental and
emotional well being.
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
8. Malnutrition: means wrong type of nutrition. It results
from excess, deficiency or imbalance of nutrients.
Undernutrition: refers to deficiency of calaories or
one or more nutrients in the body.
Overnutrition: refers to excess of calories or one or
more nutrient in the body.
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
9. Diet: it means the kind and amount of food
consumed every day
Balanced diet: Is one that contains all nutrients in the
right amount required by the individual
Calorie : it is the unit of measuring the enery value of
foods or the energy needs of the body
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
10. RDA means Recommended Dietary Allowance
are the levels of intake of essential nutrients
considered to be adequate to meet the known
nutritional needs .
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani
