Diet
Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 7.1.1
Diet
Food provides chemical energy for respiration and substances needed for cell growth and repair. A ‘balanced diet’ is one where all the nutritional requirements of the body are met, and includes the following food groups:
Carbohydrates
- Carbohydrates are a source of energy.
- Carbohydrates are found in food like bread, potatoes and pasta.
Fats
- Fats are important for insulation, for making cell membranes and also as a store of energy in the body.
- Fats are found in butter, vegetable oils and oily fish.
Proteins
- Proteins are important for building and repairing tissues like muscles and skin.
- Proteins are found in foods like meat, eggs and beans.
Fibre
- Keeps food moving through the digestive system.
- Found in wholegrain bread pasta and rice, oats and beans.
Water
- Water is necessary for chemical reactions to take place in cells, for waste removal from the body, and for temperature regulation.
Test yourself on Diet
Which of these food groups is important for making cell membranes?
Why are protein and fibre important?