Nutrient groups and their functions:

We should know that our body is made up of different chemical substances which are related to the food we take. Scientists have determined the chemical substances present in different foods and their role in the body. They call these substances "nutrients" and have classified them in different groups. In order to get an idea about  the nutrients of  food,  let us examine a familiar dish of peas and potato curry prepared in our homes. For preparing it, besides oil or ghee, onions,  tomatoes and  some  spices are  used. What  these ingredients provide  in terms  of nutrients  are listed  below:  

This dish is given as an example in order to illustrate how all the classes  of nutrients required by our body can be included in our meal. These six classes  of nutrients, namely, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water, must be included in our meals in correct proportion. This need can be fulfilled from a single dish or from a combination of dishes, prepared from a wide variety of food sources. If one of  the ingredients of  this recipe is deleted, we lose the corresponding nutrient.  This  is how we evaluate  every food - preparation. You know that fd  habits vary from place to place all over India. Chapatis are the staple food in many parts of north India and rice is the staple food in south and east India. People in other countries also have their preferences  in food. These habits are mostly due to the availability of a particular tyfe of food stuff. Anyway, no particular food is absolutely necessary, because many alternatives  to it can provide the same nutrients. Here, we must note that no single item of  food contains  exactly the same nutrients as any other singIe item.