SOME INTRODUCTORY TERMINOLOGIES USED IN FOOD AND NUTRITION

1. Food: In the ocean of nutrition, food is that important substance which is required by man to maintain his/her growth, development and also to live a healthy life. Food can be defined as any edible things which we eat or drink, found from plant or animal sources, mainly consumed to satisfy hunger and give nourishment to our body.

2. Nutrients: Nutrients are the constituents of food which are required by our body in suitable amount to conduct various functions. Nutrients are like carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins etc. .

3. Nutrition: Nutrition is the science of food, nutrients and other substances, the process by which food is taken inside the body and utilized by the body and disposes the end product.

4. Therapeutic diet: It is a type of diet which is given in a disease condition. For example: liquid diet, bland diet etc. .

5. Health: According to World Health Organisation (WHO), Health can be defined as the "State of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity".

6. Nutritional Status: It is a condition of health of a person which is the result of daily food intake and nutrients absorbed in the body to maintain normal body functions. Nutritional status can be assessed by direct methods and indirect methods.

 Direct methods- Anthropometry

                               Biochemical estimation

                           Biophysical or radiological examination

                               Clinical examination

                               Dietary assessment

                               Functional assessment

 Indirect methods- Agricultural data

                               Food balance studies

                               Use of growth charts

                               Vital health statistics

7. Malnutrition: Malnutrition is an undesirable state of health or imbalance of nutrients absorbed in the body which adversely affects the internal functioning of the body. Malnutrition may be undernutrition, overnutrition, imbalance and specific deficiency.

8. RDA: Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is defined as the average daily dietary intake level that is sufficient to meet the nutrient requirement of a healthy individual.

9. Food groups: Foods we eat are divided into some clusters according to the content of major nutrients. There are five food groups.

                                i. Cereals grains and products

                                ii.Pulses and legumes

                               iii.Fruits and vegetables

                               iv. Milk and meat products

                                v. Fats and sugars

10.Balanced diet: Balanced diet is a healthy diet that contains all required major nutrients adequately which includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water.


                                                                                                 Author

                                                                                                MOUSUMI Gogoi 

PhD Research Scholar