How to See Food As a Whole

Food is any substance eaten to provide nutrition to an organism. In human terms, food is composed of all the substances that are required in the development of life. Food is generally of animal, plant or fungi origin, and has necessary nutrients, including vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, or minerals, which are not synthesized in the body. Plants provide food by means of the photosynthetic methods of photosynthesis or respiration, while animals eat food that has been supplied by animals.

The food that we eat has a very important part in maintaining our health. Most of us know about the importance of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in maintaining the right nutrition level. However, very few of us know about the role played by other kinds of foods in our diet, which are often overlooked or taken for granted. The fact is that there are thousands of food types, each having different nutritional requirements. Thus, depending upon our body type, we will require different kinds of foods.

For example, while beans and pulses provide carbohydrates, we should avoid refined carbohydrates like white rice and flour, as they contain too much fat. Similarly, fruits and vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and minerals but may lack in the quantity of dietary fiber. Thus, it becomes necessary to choose the food on the basis of the nutrient content. Also, we should always try to see food as a whole, rather than being separated into parts or nutrients.