Diet (nutrition)
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In nutrition, the diet is the sum of the food consumed by an organism. Proper nutrition for a human requires vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fuel in the form of carbohydrates and fats. Imbalances between the consumed fuels and expended energy results in either starvation or excessive reserves of adipose tissue, or body fat. Poor intake of various vitamins and minerals can lead to diseases like scurvy or iodine deficiency.
A particular diet may be chosen to seek weight gain, weight loss, sports training, cario-vascular health, avoidance of cancers, food allergies and for other reasons. Changing the subject's dietary intake or going on a diet can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the amount of fat stored by the body. Some foods are specifically recommended, or even altered, for conformity to the requirements of a particular diet. Foods intended to help produce weight loss are frequently labeled "diet foods".
Some cultures and religions have restrictions concerning what foods are acceptable in a diet. For example, only Halal/Haram foods and Kosher foods are permitted by Islam and orthodox Judaism, respectively, in the diet of believers. In addition, different countries from region to region, have different characteristics. For instance, Americans eat more red meat than people in most other countries, and Japanese eat more fish and rice. Rice and beans are typical parts of a diet in Latin-American countries, while lentils and pita bread are typical in the middle east.
See also
External links
- Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases by a Joint WHO/FAO Expert consultation (2003)
- Diet & Nutrition — A summary for non specialists by GreenFacts of the above WHO/FAO report.
- U.S. government diet recommendations
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