The body needs a variety of nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals - and these come from the foods we eat.
Proteins are needed to build
and maintain muscle, blood, skin and bones and other tissues and organs in the
body.
Carbohydrates and fats mainly provide
energy, although some fats are also needed as building materials and to help the
body use certain vitamins.
Vitamins and minerals are needed in smaller amounts than protein, fat and carbohydrates, but they
are essential for good nutrition. They help the body work properly and stay
healthy. Some minerals also make up part of the body's tissues, for
example, calcium and fluoride are found in bones and teeth and iron is found in
the blood.
Fibre (or roughage) and clean water are also needed for a good diet.
All foods contain nutrients but different foods contain different amounts of various nutrients.
Foods rich in proteins are all types of
meat, poultry, fish, beans, peas, soybeans, groundnuts, milk, cheese, yoghurt
and eggs.
Foods rich in carbohydrates are rice,
maize, wheat and other cereals, all types of potatoes, yams and starchy roots
and sugars.
Foods rich in fats are oils, some
meat and meat products, lard, butter, ghee and some other milk products,
margarine, some types of fish, nuts and soybeans.
Foods rich in vitamin A are dark-green vegetables,
carrots, dark-yellow sweet potato, pumpkin, mango, papaya, eggs and liver.
Foods rich in B vitamins are dark-green vegetables,
groundnuts, beans, peas, cereals, meat, fish and eggs.
Foods rich in vitamin C are fruits and most
vegetables, including potatoes.
Foods rich in iron are meat, fish, groundnuts, beans, peas, dark-green leafy vegetables and dried fruits.