Diet (nutrition)

File:FoodSourcesOfMagnesium.jpg

A selection of magnesium-containing food consumed by humans. The human diet can vary widely.

In nutrition, diet is the sum of food consumed by a person or other organism.<ref>noun, def 1 Template:Webarchive – askoxford.com</ref> The word diet often implies the use of specific intake of nutrition for health or weight-management reasons (with the two often being related). Although humans are omnivores, each culture and each person holds some food preferences or some food taboos. This may be due to personal tastes or ethical reasons. Individual dietary choices may be more or less healthy.

Complete nutrition requires ingestion and absorption of vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids from protein and essential fatty acids from fat-containing food, also food energy in the form of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. Dietary habits and choices play a significant role in the quality of life, health and longevity.

Health

Template:Main A healthy diet can improve and maintain mental and physical health.<ref name="Washington2022">Template:Cite journal</ref> Specific diets, such as the DASH diet, can be used in treatment and management of chronic conditions.<ref name="Washington2022" />

Dietary recommendations exist for many different countries, and they usually emphasise a balanced diet which is culturally appropriate.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> These recommendations are different from dietary reference values which provide information about the prevention of nutrient deficiencies.

Dietary choices

Raw food tacos prepared with guacamole, non-fried beans and sour cream.

Raw food tacos prepared with guacamole, non-fried beans and sour cream. Raw foodism promotes the consumption of food which has not been cooked.

Exclusionary diets are diets with certain groups or specific types of food avoided, either due to health considerations or by choice.<ref name="Washington2022" /> Many do not eat food from animal sources to varying degrees (e.g. flexitarianism, pescetarianism, vegetarianism, and veganism) for health reasons, issues surrounding morality, or to reduce their personal impact on the environment<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (e.g. environmental vegetarianism). People on a balanced vegetarian or vegan diet can obtain adequate nutrition, but may need to specifically focus on consuming specific nutrients, such as protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B₁₂.<ref name="melina">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Washington2022" /><ref name="VegetarianMC">Template:Cite web</ref> Raw foodism and intuitive eating are other approaches to dietary choices. Education, income, local availability, and mental health are all major factors for dietary choices.<ref name="Washington2022" />

Weight management

File:Average Dietary Energy Supply By Region.svg

Average dietary energy supply by region

A particular diet may be chosen to promote weight loss or weight gain. Changing a person'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.<ref name="Washington2022" />

The terms "healthy diet" and "diet for weight management" (dieting) are often related, as the two promote healthy weight management.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> If a person is overweight or obese, changing to a diet and lifestyle that allows them to burn more calories than they consume may improve their overall health,<ref name="Washington2022" /> possibly preventing diseases that are attributed in part to weight, including heart disease and diabetes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Within the past 10 years, obesity rates have increased by almost 10%.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Conversely, if a person is underweight due to illness or malnutrition, they may change their diet to promote weight gain. Intentional changes in weight, though often beneficial, can be potentially harmful to the body if they occur too rapidly. Unintentional rapid weight change can be caused by the body's reaction to some medications, or may be a sign of major medical problems including thyroid issues and cancer among other diseases.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Meat consumption

Meat commonly refers to red meat from pork, beef, and lamb and to white meat from chicken and turkey.<ref name=":5">Template:Cite journalText was copied from this source, which is available under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.</ref> In Western countries, red meat is a significant source of energy and several nutrients such as protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.<ref name=":5" /> Meat can be processed by adding chemical preservatives, smoking, curing, salting, fermenting or canning.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), processed meat causes cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, and all red meat is a "probable" cause of cancer.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Strong evidence also links processed meat with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.<ref name=":6">Template:Cite journal</ref> The World Cancer Research Fund recommends limiting red meat to no more than three servings per week and minimizing consumption of processed meats.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref>

Environmental dietary choices

Template:See alsoAgriculture is a driver of environmental degradation, such as biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification, soil degradation and pollution. The food system as a whole – including refrigeration, food processing, packaging, and transport – accounts for around one-quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> More sustainable dietary choices can be made to reduce the impact of the food system on the environment. These choices may involve reducing consumption of meat and dairy products and instead eating more plant-based foods, and eating foods grown through sustainable farming practices.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Religious and cultural dietary choices

Some cultures and religions have restrictions concerning what foods are acceptable in their diet. For example, only Kosher foods are permitted in Judaism, and Halal foods in Islam. Although Buddhists are generally vegetarians, the practice varies and meat-eating may be permitted depending on the sects.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In Hinduism, vegetarianism is the ideal. Jains are strictly vegetarian and in addition to that the consumption of any roots (e.g., potatoes, carrots) is not permitted.

In Christianity there is no restriction on the kinds of animals that can be eaten,<ref>Marcos 7:14 Template:Webarchive-23 Template:Webarchive</ref><ref>Mateo 15:10 Template:Webarchive-20 Template:Webarchive</ref> though various groups within Christianity have practiced specific dietary restrictions for various reasons.<ref name="Vatican">Template:Cite web</ref> The most common diets consumed by Christians are the Mediterranean diet and vegetarianism.Template:Cn

Diet classification table

Food type	Omnivorous	Carnivorous	Pescetarian	Pollotarian	Semi-vegetarian	Vegetarian	Vegan	Fruitarian	Paleo	Ketogenic	Jewish	Islamic	Hindu	Jain
Alcoholic drinks	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Maybe	Template:Maybe	Template:No	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Fruit	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe
Berries	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Vegetables	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Greens	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe
Legumes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Nuts	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe
Tubers	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:MaybeTemplate:Efn	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe
Grains	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Honey	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No
Dairy	Template:Yes	Template:MaybeTemplate:Efn	Template:Maybe	Template:Maybe	Template:Maybe	Template:MaybeTemplate:Efn	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Maybe	Template:YesTemplate:Efn	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes
Eggs	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:MaybeTemplate:Efn	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Insects	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:NoTemplate:Efn	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Shellfish	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:MaybeTemplate:Efn	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Fish	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Poultry	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Mutton	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Venison	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Pork	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Maybe	Template:No
Beef	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Sometimes	Template:No	Template:No	Template:No	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:Yes	Template:No	Template:No

See also

• Dessert crop
• Nutrition psychology

External links

• Template:Wiktionary-inline