INTROUCTION

Human body is like an engine. To keep it going we

must provide it with the right kind of fuel. This is
balanced food; a balanced diet is one which consists of
the correct proportion of the five basic ingredients of
good nutrition, i.e., Carbohydrate, fats, calcium, proteins,
mineral salt and vitamins. The knowledge of various
essential constituents of food materials in which these
ingredients are available is a must. Deficiency of any of
these essential ingredients leads to many diseases. For
example: Calcium and Phosphorus are required for the
formation of bones and teeth, deficiency of these cause
the decay of tooth and bones. Deficiency of iron causes
anaemia. Lack of iodine causes gotre. So it is necessary
that the food we eat be selected carefully.