Insights on Nutrition
Nutrition
is a combination of processes by which all parts of the body receive and
utilize the materials necessary for the performance of their functions and for
the growth and renewal of all the components (rejuvenation). Food is the
substance taken into the body that will help meet the body’s needs for energy,
maintenance of health, growth and reproduction.
It has been practiced by the Vaidyas (physicians) as they are termed in
Ayurveda. Every patient was given medication after thorough examination and diagnosis
of the disease and also asked to follow certain dietary practices at least till
complete recovery. This was known as pathya (dietary management). Many do’s and
dont’s were prescribed which were tailored to suit his health and constitution.
The role of diet as a part of treatment is increasing day-by-day with new
observations and experience.
Food
is the basic necessity of life. Everybody eats food and most people enjoy it.
From the beginning, scientists were curious about the food they consumed, its
passage in the body and its effects. This curiosity led to the development of
the science of nutrition.
Nutritional status is the condition of the body as it relates to consumption and utilization of food. The nutritional status of a person may be either good or poor. Optimum nutrition means that a person is receiving and utilizing essential nutrients in proper proportions as required by the body while also providing a ‘reserve’. Good nutritional status refers to the intake of a well-balanced diet, which supplies all the essential nutrients to meet the body’s requirements. Such a person may be said to be receiving optimum nutrition. Poor nutritional status refers to an inadequate or even excessive intake or poor utilization of the nutrients to meet the body’s requirements. Overeating can also result in poor nutritional status of a person. Malnutrition refers to the physical effects on the human body of a dietary intake inadequate in quantity and/or quality. Under nutrition refers to low food intake.
According to Ministry of Women and Child Development (2006): "Nutrition is the science of food and its relationship to health. Good Nutrition is a fundamental requirement for positive health, functional efficiency and productivity. Nutritional status is internationally recognized as an indicator of national development. Nutrition is both an input into and an output of the development process. A well nourished healthy workforce is a pre-condition for successful economic and social development, and as such food security, nutrition, health and sanitation are the responsibility of all development sectors and indeed of all citizens. In many developing countries including India, economic productivity has increased and impressive efforts have been made in nutrition interventions, but significant improvement in nutritional status has not accompanied these advances. Investing in nutrition has both economic and social benefits. Improved nutritional status has an enhancing effect on investments in other sectors such as health, education and agriculture. Moreover, the enormous social and financial costs of malnutrition are averted when nutritional status is improved."
Nutrition is a basic prerequisite to sustain life. Variety in food is not only the spice of life but also the essence of nutrition and health. A diet consisting of foods from several food groups provides all the required nutrients in proper amounts. Cereals, millets and pulses are major sources of most nutrients. Milk which provides good quality proteins and calcium must be an essential item of the diet, particularly for infants, children and women. Oils and nuts are calorie-rich foods, and are useful for increasing the energy density and quality of food. Inclusion of eggs, flesh foods and fish enhances the quality of diet. However, vegetarians can derive almost all the nutrients from diets consisting of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits and milk-based diets. Vegetables and fruits provide protective substances such as vitamins/ minerals/ phytonutrients. Diversified diets with a judicious choice from a variety food groups provide the necessary nutrients.
The issue is often
not what food are eaten but rather how much of each food is eaten and how the
consumption is distributed within the society or within the family.
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