Food – A Number Of Classifications To The Most Important Part Of Your Diet

Food is any substance eaten to provide nutrition to an organism for a short or long period of time. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and includes necessary nutrients, including proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, or iron, that are required by the body. When people talk about nutrition they most often refer to providing the body with all the substances it needs to survive. Some types of food are good sources of these substances while others are not. The diet of an individual can be categorized into several main groups based on the foods they eat or the way they prepare them.

Animal food refers to meat, fish, milk and other dairy products, as well as eggs and other animal-derived food. Plant food can be classified in two broad categories, either animal or plant. Meat and plant products such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains are considered to be dietary food, whereas animal-derived food is regarded as a source of protein. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are rich in minerals and vitamins which are required for good health. Some of these food categories are so common that almost all people have them, while some are considered rarer.

Animal food can be divided into four different categories, prime meats including pork and beef, poultry, fish and other marine mammals, egg production, dairy, and other processed meats. Plant food can be grouped into five, these being berries, nuts, vegetables, legumes, fruits, and vegetables and grain products. Fats, oils and other fats are important components of many foods, especially those rich in carbohydrates. Amino acids are the major components of proteins and are commonly produced by the body in the liver, pancreas and other parts.