Food Microbiology

Food, Nutrition and Health

Food is defined as a material, usually of plant or animal origin, which contains or consists of essential nutrients for the body, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins or minerals, and which is ingested and assimilated by the body in order to produce energy, stimulate growth and preserve life.

The process by which food is taken in and utilized by the body is called as Nutrition. Eating a healthy and balanced diet is about nutrition. The energy and nutrients you need to be healthy are delivered by food and drink. Understanding these terms of nutrition can make making better food choices easier for you. Food and nutrition are the way that we get fuel, providing energy for our bodies. We need to replace nutrients in our bodies with a new supply every day.

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not the merely the absence of illness or disease. The effective management of food intake and nutrition are both key to good health. Smart nutrition and food choices can help prevent disease. Eating the right foods can help your body cope more successfully with an ongoing illness.