o The human body is like an engine, and food is the fuel it needs to keep running. How often the body works efficiently, depends on what is consumed.

o Especially in children, we always come up with a question in our minds. I have given my child a proper diet and she/he eats well, but suddenly she has lost weight. I am afraid whether something is wrong with her system. This is a myth that all that we eat should show up. No it is wrong, depends from one body to another.

o What is important is we must eat the right foods in proportion and our body eats all of it. The food an individual eats is converted into energy and used by the body for its different functions. These include not just the physical activities but as the constant process of growth and repair of tissues in the body. The tissues are continuously broken down and replaced by new cells to keep the body in good working condition.

o Most of the foods have a chemical structure different from the body so they need to be changed into a form that the body can easily absorb. This process is called digestion.

Types of food- How do we drive our human body like an engine

o Food is divided into three main types: Carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

o Carbs and fats are used to fuel the body’s processes and functions, while protein is used as building material for the body and its tissues. This means that insufficient carb or fat in the diet will result in lack of energy and a general feeling of fatigue, while a lack of protein will cause a gradual waste away of the tissues.

o Carbohydrates are commonly found in starch and sugar. Starch is present in all cereals and root vegetables. Sugar is found in fruits and honey.

o Proteins are chemicals that form an essential part of every living cell. Muscles, for eg. consists largely of protein and water. Any surplus protein is burned as fuel for energy. Children however need more protein than adults.

Sources of protein required for our body:

• Animal foods such as meat are very rich sources of protein, especially organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart. Fish, eggs, cheese and milk are also good sources of protein. Pulses, seeds of pumpkin, sunflower and sesame are also rich in protein.
• Apart from carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the body must have vitamins and minerals for its proper growth. Vitamins are very useful for normal growth and development and cannot be manufactured in the body. They should be taken in food or supplementary. They are further divided into fat-soluble and water-soluble. They circulate in the blood and the excess comes out by the urine. On the other hand, the fat-soluble vitamins are not excreted out and get stored in the liver.
• Minerals are also important source for keeping the body fit. They assist in many of the processes needed for normal nerve and muscle function. The minerals that the body requires are: potassium, calcium, magnesium, fluorine, zinc and copper.

A balanced diet always provides sufficient quantities of all of these help the human body grow stronger and live longer.