Food and its function

Food is any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink or that plants absorb in order to maintain life and growth.

1. Food and its functions Anup Muni Bajracharya

2. Whether a man eats for living or lives for eating, food is his prime concern. What is food ? It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or mineral and is ingested and assimilated by the organisms to produce energy, maintain life, or stimulate growth. It is the fuel source of the body. Simply food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body.

3. Even though the chief function of the food is to supply energy to meet physiological needs and to maintain body in good health, but it serves other functions also. The functions of food can be viewed from different aspects functions of food   Physiological Functions Social Functions Psychological Functions

4. Physiological Functions Energy giving nutrients are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. The human body is never at rest. Even while sleeping, the heart beats, digestion and respiration continue and the body temperature remains constant. For all these voluntary and involuntary activities, energy is required constantly. Our control No any control 1. Provide energy

5. Nutrients necessary for building and maintaining body are proteins, minerals and water. Muscles , bone and organs are built upon and maintained by the proteins. Minerals  irons, calcium and phosphorus  regulate formation of blood and skeletal tissues. 2. Building the body Baby Adult

6. Water  regulate digestion , excretion, maintenance of the body temperature and electrolyte balance. Roughage  normal bowel movements. Nutrients  Muscle contraction, clotting of blood, beating of heart. 3. Regulating body processes Blood clotting Heart Beat

7. Vitamins and Minerals protect the body against diseases, growth , vision, health of skin, formation of proper teeth and good digestion . 4. Resistance to disease

8. Social Functions of food Benediction or Prasad in the religious functions

9.     Feast are given at specific stages of life such as birth, naming ceremony, birthdays, marriages etc

10. Most of the festivals also call for feasts and feeding of specific segments of the population.  

11. A ssociated with the celebration of Deepawali , Tihar and . Cakes are associated with birthdays and Christmas. Different varieties of meat are associated with Dashain .

12. Refreshments served at get togethers or meetings create relaxed atmosphere. The menu for such get together should bring the people together, rather than divide them. Meeting set up Seminar

13. Psychological functions of food Besides other functions, food satisfies certain emotional needs also. Traditional habits are characterized by certain foods, which are pleasing to persons of one culture and same are served invariably to fulfill social and emotional needs of that culture or society. 

14. Sharing of food is a token of friendship and acceptance. In a friendly gathering we try unfamiliar foods and thus enlarge our food experiences. Sharing of food

15. Psychological functions includes a sense of security, love and attention. Thus familiar foods make us feel secure. Anticipating needs and fulfilling are expressions of love and attention. These sentiments are the basis of the normal attachment to the mother’s cooking.