Importance of Real Food

Food is any material consumed in order to provide nutrition to the organisms. Generally speaking food is of animal, plant or even fungal nature, and has vital nutrients, like proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. Every living being needs food to sustain life, including humans. In humans, food is divided into two main categories: plant food (e.g., proteins, vegetables, fruits) and animal food (e.g., meat, dairy products). Animal food is used to feed the animals, while plant food is employed for making food (e.g., breads, cereals, etc. ).

The most common way of obtaining food is through eating – the process of hunting, gathering, etc., by means of food obtained from the earth. Eating foods that are wholesome is important for a healthy and fit body. There are many benefits of eating foods that are healthy and nutritious; these include boosting the immune system, building muscles and bones, preventing and fighting disease, increasing energy and stamina, enhancing brain function, providing nutrients needed for cellular growth and repair, and boosting metabolism. Recent studies indicate that fruits, vegetables, and legumes contain nutrients that are crucial in promoting good health, which help to build and maintain healthy body systems, and to improve the immune system and help fight and prevent diseases.

However, many people still refuse to eat real food. For them, real food means fresh vegetables and fruits, unprocessed meats and dairy products, unprocessed fats, unprocessed oils, etc. Processed foods, on the other hand, refer to those foods that have been changed or reduced in nutrient content, quality, and quantity. Some examples of processed foods are canned goods, frozen dinners, and pre-packaged meals. A great advantage of eating real food is that it provides all nutrients required by an individual, in the right amounts. Real food is also easy to find and much cheaper than pre-packaged or pre-prepared meals.