Nutritional Classification Of Foods

The different groups of foods listed above may be broadly classified under three heads from the nutritional point of view.
(1) Energy-yielding foods;
(2) Body- building foods and
(3) Protective foods.

Energy Yielding Foods
The group includes foods rich in carbohydrates and also fats. They may be broadly divided into two groups: (1) Cereals, roots and tubers and (2) Carbohydrates and Fats. Cereals provide, in addition to energy the greater part of the proteins, certain minerals and vitamins in the deits of the low income groups in the developing countries. Roots and tubers also provide some amounts of proteins, minerals and vitamins while pure carbohydrates and fats provide only energy.

Body Building Foods
Foods rich in proteins are called body building foods. These may be broadly divided into two groups: (a) Milk, egg and fish rich in proteins of high biological value and (b) pulses, oilseeds and nuts and low fat oilseed flours rich in proteins of medium nutritive value.

Protective Foods
Foods rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals are termed protective foods. Protective foods are broadly classified into two groups: (a) Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and proteins of high biological value e.g.., milk, egg, fish and liver and (b) Foods rich in certain vitamins and minerals only e.g., green leafy vegetables and some fruits.