Diet (nutrition)
In nutrition, the diet is the sum of the food consumed by an organism. Proper nutrition for a human requires vitamins, minerals, proteins, and fuel in the form of carbohydrates and fats. Imbalances between the consumed fuels and expended energy results in either starvation or excessive reserves of adipose tissue, or body fat. Poor intake of various vitamins and minerals can lead to diseases like scurvy or iodine deficiency.
Changing the dietary intake or going on a diet can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the body fat of a body. Some foods are specifically recommended, or even altered, for conformity to the requirements of a diet, and are frequently labeled "diet foods".
Some cultures and religions have restrictions on acceptable food in a diet. For example, Haram foods in Islam or Kosher foods in Judaism.
See also
- Dietary supplement
- Dieting
- Healthy eating
- List of diets
- Nutrition
- dietary minerals
- diet for diseases
External links
- U.S. government diet recommendations
- Calorie Counter Database
- Free Nutritional Profiling
- Nutrition Through Alkalinization A informational web site with info on Dr. Robert Young and the pH Miracle Program
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