Nowadays, we have access to many foods produced in different parts of the world. Some are produced in our own countries, while others are grown far away. For instance, people in Australia can enjoy Spanish olive oil, French cheeses, and Norwegian sardines. However, what we eat is largely determined by the traditions of our culture. For example, in England, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding are traditionally eaten together, while in Asia, rice is often served with every meal.
Nutrient content of foods
The Nutrient Content of Foods in the United States is a historical data series that shows the amounts and percentages of nutrients in different food groups. This series is useful to agricultural and food policy experts, as it helps them monitor dietary intake and examine relationships between food supply and nutritional needs.
Sources of nutrients
Sources of nutrients in food are substances added to food to enhance their nutritional value. These substances include amino acids, carnitine, taurine, choline, inositol, and nucleotides. These substances are considered safe for human consumption if they meet certain requirements.
Sources of calories
There are several sources of calories in the food we eat. Some are obvious, while others are more difficult to detect. These hidden sources contribute to the obesity epidemic. It is important to know what they are and minimize them to achieve a healthy weight and combat obesity. This paper reviews the obvious and hidden sources of calories in food, and discusses strategies to control caloric intake and maintain a healthy weight.
Processed foods
Food processing is the process of changing agricultural products into a more usable form. It can range from simple tasks such as grinding grains into flour to complex industrial processes.
Processed foods’ calorie content
Processed foods are laden with sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, and they are also high in calories. In the study, researchers examined 1.2 million prepackaged foods and classified them based on their convenience and degree of industrial processing. They found that more than three-fourths of calories in these prepackaged purchases came from foods that were highly processed.
Influence of culture on food choices
There are many cultural and social factors that influence the food choices that we make. While our physiological need for nutrition is the most influential, our choices are also influenced by our values and beliefs. These factors include our background, our social relationships, and our culture.