Major food groups

Carbohydrates Starches and Sugars Common Foods Bread Potatoes Rice Pasta Jam Vegetables Fruit Sweets Why required? They supply us with the glucose that is used in respiration, from this process energy is released Carbohydrates are compounds that consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are produced initially by photosynthesis. Photosynthesis involves the conversion of carbon dioxide and water to sugars.

Proteins Common Foods Meat Fish Eggs Cheese Milk Bread Nuts Pulses Why required? Proteins are made of amino acids, these are used for growth and repair of our bodies. Proteins in our body are constantly being built and disposed of. After we eat, proteins are broken down by digestion into amino acids. Amino acids are then absorbed and used to make other proteins in the body. Adequate protein and energy intake, on a daily basis ensures the cycle continues. Common Foods Meat Fish Eggs Cheese Milk Bread Nuts Pulses

Fats Common Foods Butter Vegetable oil Margarine Cream Olive Oil Meat Why required? Fatty acid and glycerol for heat retention and energy. It is in most foods because both plants and animals use fats as the most economical way to store energy.  It is needed for their growth, development and function when there is a shortage of food supply. The fat also insulates our body to help maintain our body temperature. Common Foods Butter Vegetable oil Margarine Cream Olive Oil Meat Cheese

Minerals Common Foods Cheese Milk Liver Eggs Bread Salt Meats Vegetables Why required? To maintain various body functions and are only needed in small amounts. They are important for building strong bones and teeth, blood, skin, hair, nerve function, muscle and for metabolic processes such as those that turn the food we eat into energy Examples: Calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, iron, carbon etc…

Vitamins Common Foods Vitamin A Liver, butter, green vegetables. Vitamin B Bread, milk, potatoes, meat, yeast, cheese, liver eggs. Vitamin C Oranges, lemons, vegetables, tomatoes. Vitamin D Eggs, margarine, cod liver oil. Why required? There are 13 vitamins which all interact with our cell enzymes to regulate a variety of essential bodily functions. They are crucial for many of our metabolic processes, to release energy from nutrients, and in building and maintaining bones, teeth, skin, blood and many other vital body tissues. Vitamin A – Eyesight Vitamin B – Cells and blood. Vitamin C – Immunity. Vitamin D – Bones.