Todays column is written by a dietitian, Dr Tunde Ajobo. Food is an essential part of living.

Among all human activities eating undoubtedly has the greatest effect on health! After breathing, eating is what we do most frequently during a lifetime. Whatsoever that can be regarded as food today is a product of agriculture. What is agriculture? It can be simply defined as a deliberate effort by man to cultivate crops, rear animals and care for them for his use. The availability of land in a community enables people to practise farming. This could be small (subsistence or peasant) or large scale (mechanised) farming. The sources of food for man are divided into two: plant and animal sources. Both are products of agriculture. To have enough food supply in its best natural form, there is need to encourage farming. Research shows that plant-based food are better than animal-based food for good health and longevity. Food and Man However, there is relationship between man and its food. Man consumes food from both plant and animal source. The waste products from plants, for example, yam, banana, plantain peelings, etc, can serve as food to rear animals and can also be used as compost to enrich the soil. The animal waste products, excrement, can serve as organic manure to enrich the soil for good crop production. Recommended Diet Moreover, recommended diet in the community should be based on adequate intake of all nutrients in the right proportion to nourish the body and maintain optimal health. To start with, what is food? Food is anything that, when taken into the body, serves to nourish, build and repair tissues, supply energy or regulate body processes. Aside its nutritional function, food is valued for its palatability and satiety effect as well as for varied meanings attached to it (emotional, social, religious, cultural, etc) by different individuals, groups or races. What Are Nutrients? Foods consist of different components of variable nutritional value called nutrients. These are carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oil, minerals, vitamins and water. Carbohydrates, proteins and fats and oil are referred to as macro-nutrients because they are needed in large quantity while vitamins and minerals are referred to as micro-nutrients (needed in small quantity). Carbohydrates: The main function of carbohydrates is to supply energy to carry out bodys functions. About 55 to 65 per cent of total energy must come from complex carbohydrates. Examples are cassava, yam, cocoyam, corn, millet, guinea corn, potatoes, chinese yam (Esuru), plantain, rice, wheat, etc. Proteins: These are obtained from both animal and plant products, for example, meat and meat products, dairy and dairy products, poultry and poultry products, games, fish and fish products, snails, caterpillar, termites, etc. Plant sources are beans, soya, groundnut,

locust beans, sorrel, mushroom, pumpkin, melon, bambara nuts, cashew nuts, etc. Protein is essential for growth and about 15-20 per cent is needed by the body. Appropriate mixing of cereals (e. g. rice) and legumes (e. g. beans) or pap from corn with soya beans forms a good combination nutritionally. This is referred to as Texture Vegetable Protein (TVP). Fats and Oil: These are to supply energy, provide the building blocks to cell membranes and help key systems in the body function properly. It helps in absorption of fat soluble Vitamins A, D, E and K. Examples are palm oil, soy oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, groundnut oil, shea butter, butter, margarine, etc. Minerals: The body contains approximately four per cent minerals, which, in common with all other components, must be supplied by the diet. They do not provide energy in themselves, but because they form part of the tissues and skeleton, they are essential for growth; among them are calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulphur, sodium, iron, iodine, potassium, chlorine, zinc, etc. Vitamins: These are organic substances that are present in food in minute quantities but are essential for normal health and growth, cause a specific deficiency disease when not adequately supplied by the diet or improperly absorbed from food. Examples are fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K and water soluble vitamins Vitamin C and Vitamin B complexes. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources, also orange, banana, apple, water melon, pawpaw, guava, grape, and cherry, etc. Water: It is a universal solvent and essential to life. The body can go without food for several days but it cannot do without water. It is the most important component of human body. It represents, on average, 66 per cent of body weight in adult and almost 75 per cent in the new-born. Nevertheless, no food contains all the known essential nutrients. Eating foods from each of the different food groups helps ensure that all nutrient needs are met. Portion, number and size should be monitored to ensure adequate nutrients intake without exceeding the energy needs. Healthy individuals obtain an adequate nutrient intake from foods Excessive food intake, especially of foods high in saturated fat, sugar, and salt should be avoided. Eat according to guide line in food pyramid.