WHAT IS FOOD

Food can be biochemically defined as any plant or animal, or a product of plan or animal, or any combination of two, either in solid or liquid form. Which when prepared and eaten in a specified way, is not poisonous but is digested into the body to supply certain chemical substances, such as carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, which have the ability to perform any or all of the following functions:

• Provision of energy for the maintenance of the body’s internal mechanism and for the performance of physical activities.
• Provision of biochemical material for growth, maintenance, repair and reproduction.
• Provision of biocatalyst and other substances required of metabolic activities and good health.Readmore>>

However, experience has shown that not every thing that can perform the above functions is regarded as food by every culture or society.

There are situations where certain food or food items, no matter how rich or delicious, are avoided or forbidden by some people due to traditional, superstitious, religious beliefs or prejudices, or out of medical consideration or personal taste.

 For instance, certain species of frogs, snakes, spiders, termites, lizards, crocodiles, pigs, monkeys, dogs, horses, etc, are prepared as food or delicacies by some people while some people regard them as disgusting, taboo or poisonous.

Since environment differ and many parochial cultures or prejudices have no basis in science, this blog will regard as food anything that meets the biochemical definition of food as given earlier.

Hunger, Appetite and Satiety:

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Everybody eats everyday. Some people eat only when they are hungry. Some stick to the traditional breakfast, lunch, dinner. Some eat anything they have appetite for, even when they are not hungry. Some eat about people’s ration at a meal before they become satisfied (satiety).

Hunger, appetite and satiety are aspect of eating behaviour that are under the control of the brain.

Hunger:

Hunger is defined as a discomforting sensation or sate of exhaustion that is caused by the body’s need for food. When the body is in need of food, two main stimuli indicates this:

·         Chemical stimuli: This is the sensation brought about by the level of glucose and free fatty acids in the blood. The absence or level of   these substances in the blood brings about strong sensation of hunger.

·         Nervous Stimuli: This is a sensation brought about by the of distension or contraction of the stomach. When the stomach is empty the body receives strong sensation provoked by the contraction of the stomach, indicating hunger.

·         Appetite: Appetite is defined as a physical desire for a particular food or drink that is stimulated by the sight, smell or thought of that food or drink.

·         Satiety: This is the feeling of fullness or satisfaction from eating food. It is the point at which a man voluntarily pushes the plates away with or without leftovers. People who eat not because they are hungry but because of the time of the day, or in response to the thought, sight or smell of food, are prone to becoming overweight or obese, in other for you to eat and maintain your weight 17 day diet meal plan is the right choice click and review for details . These people can hardly control their appetite. They eat in between meals and eat anything that catches their fancy.

In the same vein, some people have large capacity for food. They will go on eating as long as food is available until the stomach is physically filled and there is no space more for food. Majority of overweight or obese people have difficulty controlling their appetite or determining their satiety level..

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