Food plays a vital role in the lives of most people. It is a source of energy, and it can also be used to celebrate religious and cultural events.
Despite the global availability of food, millions go hungry. This is due to poverty and the effects of natural disasters, such as floods and droughts.
1. It is a source of energy
Food provides us with a mixture of chemicals that allows our bodies to function. Without this energy, our organs would stop working and we would die. This energy comes from carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and water. Food also contains micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals. Carbohydrates provide us with quick energy and proteins give the body a long-lasting source of energy. Fats are a concentrated source of energy, providing twice as much per gram as carbohydrates and protein do. The body stores any excess fat as a reserve of energy in the form of triglycerides and glycogens.
Food helps to regulate the body’s processes, maintain cell structure and carry out essential functions such as transmission of nerve impulses and regulation of blood sugar levels. It also supports tissue repair and growth. Food gives us the energy we need to carry out our daily tasks, as well as the energy needed for sports and other activities.
Staple foods are the main sources of energy and nutrients in most people’s diets. Examples include grains, pulses (such as beans and lentils), vegetables, and fruit. Animal products are a major source of protein, with beef and poultry being the most popular meats worldwide. Some people reduce the amount of meat they eat out of concern for the environment or for animal welfare.
Food is a key to life and it is important to know how to choose the right foods for our bodies. It is important to eat balanced meals, as these will provide our bodies with all the essential nutrients. We should also avoid junk foods, as these are high in calories and have little nutritional value. Lastly, we should consume foods that are high in fiber, as this will help keep our digestive system healthy.
2. It is a source of nutrients
A person needs a variety of foods to get all the nutrients that he or she requires. These include proteins, fats, carbohydrates (sugars and dietary fiber), vitamins, and minerals. These nutrients perform important functions such as helping the body grow, repair, and maintain itself.
The food that people eat includes both staple foods and processed or packaged foods. Staple foods provide the body with a lot of energy because they are rich in starch. These foods are rice, bread, and pasta. Processed or packaged foods usually contain added sugars and fats, which can lead to weight gain and heart disease. People who eat these foods frequently should make an effort to eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Food also contains a large number of chemicals called phytochemicals, which have antioxidant properties and may help prevent certain diseases. These chemicals are found in plant cells and in some animal cells. They also play an important role in the growth, development, and health of plants and animals.
Another reason why food is important is that it provides a source of protein, which helps the body build and repair tissues. Proteins are also needed to make blood and to carry oxygen throughout the body. A person can get proteins from fish, poultry, meat, dairy products, and beans.
A person’s diet can be varied, depending on his or her culture and lifestyle. Some cultures have a large proportion of starchy foods in their diets, while others rely more on fruits and vegetables. The way that a person prepares his or her meals can also influence the nutritional value of his or her diet. For example, boiling and baking are healthier ways to cook than frying. These methods preserve the vitamins in food and reduce the amount of unhealthy fats in the diet.
3. It is a source of pleasure
In addition to satiating hunger and satisfying our nutritional needs, food is also a source of pleasure. Whether through the visual elaboration of Japanese cuisine that resembles ikebana, or the intense flavour of spicy dishes in tropical cultures, food is pleasurable on many levels. Even in industrialized societies with precooked, packaged meals, the pleasure of a delicious meal can be experienced by eating it with family or friends.
Pleasure from food has a social dimension that goes beyond the nutritional aspect: it allows us to share and transmit cultural values, and create emotional bonds and connect with others through shared meals. It also gives pleasure by bringing memories of past experiences, and feelings towards those with whom we have enjoyed these meals.
Humans are the only species that have transformed a physiological necessity into a pleasurable cultural experience, laden with meaning. This is why food pleasure matters so much for our lives.
But when our health conditions limit the enjoyment of food, such as dysphagia or being tube fed, we lose this pleasure. For people like Antonio, who was being tube fed for dysphagia, it was no longer possible to savour what he was eating and he felt that his life was not worth living anymore.
Our research showed that people who were experiencing this loss of pleasure and motivation around food found a way to re-activate it through different means, including sharing a meal with family and friends or experimenting with new recipes. Moreover, it was important for them to find a balance between the nutrition and pleasure aspects of food. For example, for those with dysphagia who can no longer enjoy the taste and smell of food, it is important to have healthy foods that are not too dry or hot and are easy to swallow.
