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.
A particular diet may be chosen to seek weight gain, weight loss, sports training, cario-vascular health, avoidance of cancers,
food allergies and for other reasons. Changing the subject's dietary intake or
going on a diet can change the energy balance and increase or decrease the amount of fat stored by the body. Some foods are specifically recommended, or even altered, for conformity to the requirements of a particular diet. Foods intended to help produce weight loss are frequently labeled "
diet foods".
Some cultures and religions have restrictions concerning what foods are acceptable in a diet. For example, only
Halal/Haram foods and
Kosher foods are permitted by
Islam and orthodox
Judaism, respectively, in the diet of believers. In addition, different countries from region to region, have different characteristics. For instance, Americans eat more red meat than people in most other countries, and Japanese eat more fish and rice. Rice and beans are typical parts of a diet in Latin-American countries, while lentils and pita bread are typical in the middle east.
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Dietary supplements
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Amino acids
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Minerals**
Nootropics
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Nutraceuticals
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Vitamins
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Dieting*
Diets (list)*
Eating*
Exercise*
Food**
Food (portal)**
Food (topic list)**
Functional food*
Health**
Health (portal)**
Healthy eating***
Healthy eating pyramid*
Life extension**
Life extension (topic list)*
Nutrition**
Nutrition (topic list)*
Diet, Nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases by a Joint
WHO/
FAO Expert consultation (2003)
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Diet & Nutrition — A summary for non specialists by
GreenFacts of the above WHO/FAO report.
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U.S. government diet recommendations*
Calorie Counter Database*
The Diabetic Diet An online diet resource for diabetics.
