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NUTRITION The field of nutrition involves the study of food nutrients, their use by the body, and the relationship between health, diet, and diseases. Proper nutrition is extremely

important for the smooth and healthy functioning of one’s body. It also helps keep a check on various diseases. A deficiency of nutrients can be problematic, as it may invite many diseases that harm the body.

ELEMENTS OF FOOD Food has a different meaning for every person. It can be a mere necessity for some people, while others, who are sometimes called “foodies,” spend a lot of time, energy, and money enjoying the best food they can. Food is a composition of various elements that jointly serve human nutritional requirements. These elements can be divided into vitamins, proteins, minerals, fats, and carbohydrates.

FOOD HABITS Food is consumed by all living organ- isms in some form or other. These food habits are broadly categorized into the following: vegetarian, nonveg- etarian, and vegan . A vegetarian diet includes food derived from plants, such as fruits, vegetables, cereals, and so on. People on a vegan diet reject any food derived from animals, such as dairy products or eggs. Most vegetarians, on the other hand, still eat dairy. Meanwhile, people on the nonvegetarian diets warmly welcome these animal products and they indeed form a major part of a nonvegetarian’s diet.

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