Table of Foodstuffs, showing their Uses

To be of use to the body these foodstuffs must be digested and absorbed. Food must therefore be of such a nature that it can be digested— i.e., broken down by digestive juices into substances that can pass into the blood stream, and be carried to the various tissues for their use. Proteins, carbohydrates and fats are complicated compounds found in plant and animal matter, and require digestion. Water and mineral salts are simple inorganic substances; they can be absorbed, therefore, without digestion, they enter into the composition of all animal and plant matter. In fact, all living matter consists largely of water. The inorganic salts, absorbed from the soil or water, are built up by living things into organic salts.

Healthy food is food considered to be beneficial to health.

The goal of healthy eating is to develop a diet that you can maintain for life, not just a few weeks or months.

Finally, there are three main messages to follow for healthy eating: First, we should eat less fat, particularly saturated fat. Secondly, we are to cut down on sugar and salt. Thirdly, we must eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.

Exercise 7. Answer the questions:

1. What is our food made up of?

2. What are the main functions of the food substances?

3. How many essential foodstuffs are there that are supplied through the foods?

4. What substances are used as body builders?

5. What substances are used as fuel foods?

6. What substances are used as regulators of body activity?

7. What are three main rules for healthy eating?