Functions of food

1. Food and its functions
Dr Mrs Vandana Mahajani

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