Emotional

Functions of Food-Plhy siological ,Socal , P'sychological or

Funetions of food

I)The physiological functions

alto provide encipy
h)to repair cells und tissues ofbody
o build new cells and tissues

d)to regulate body prOcesses

clo protect against diseases
1)The physiologicalfunctions food
The chief function of food is to keep the body fit.both quality and quantity hould
be considered.the ood consumed should provide cnergy for voluntary and
involuntary activities.it should also promotes growth or build the body and repair
maintains
(he tissues, Finally it should proteet the body against various disecases.It
and regulates the body proceses.
a)To provide energy:the body necds cnergy for various activities both voluntary
and involuntary so human body is never at rest but cngaged in work.
When we sleep,the heart beats ,the chest wall move ,the temperature of the body is
kept constant and digestion goes on (involuntary activities of the body).
The energy required for all these activities is provided by food.energy is also
required for various volutary activities like playing cooking ,washing eading
,etc...
Most of the energy required by the body is provided by two classes of foods.
these are carbohydrate and fat rich foods. proteins can also be used tor encrgy.
when the body dosent receive enough energy fionm carbohydates and fats.it uses
proteins to meet energy needs.the quantitative requirement of food for the huma
body is expressed in terns of unit called the kilo calories the calorific value of
fooddepend upon quantity of carbohydrates, fats , proteins present in them
lgram of carbohydrate yicld 4 keals
Igm of fat is 9 kcals
lgm of protein is 4 kcals
The energy requirements depends upon age, height ,weight, sex,physical activity
etc.

b)to repair cells and tissue of the body: mutrients used in the maintanance of
the body are proteins, minerals and water. body tissucs are continuously being
boken down and replaced by new ones .these are forad in milk and milk products
gteen vegetables meat, cgg, tish and liver ete
c)to build cells and tissues; the body is made of sall cells which are ,made up
of proteins, water and minerais.the soft tissu. of the body ,ike muscles are blood
are chieily composed of protcins ,wates and minerals.oe of tlhe most imp
 the body.it is Used n
uttent required is protein ,which is found in every cell of
toming nuscles, blood ,hair and other tissues. and
The largest part of protein in most Indian diet,(S6"%) comes from cereals
paises animal protein such as milk and milk products cgg ,fish, and meat are
costly food stutts but are important sources of protein .there are many dt
inerals present in the body the highest concentration is found in bones and teetn
minerals are also present in other body tissues, these minerals are also present n
iood stutts like milk, egg, meat, fish, green leafy vegetables etc...
)t0 regulate body processes; many nutrients except carbohydrates work
together to regulate the functions of the body .essential fatty acids present in
certain fats , proteins ,minerals, vitamins and water all perforn certain regulatory
iunctions
coagulation of y, naintanance of body temp ,activation of
enzynes etc.
) to protect the body from diseases; besides supplying energy, body building
and regulating factors,it also protect body fiom injury and diseases .vitamins and
Ininerals although required in small amounts are very essential to the health and
noinal working of the body .the deficiency of these leads to many diseases .these
play imp role in regulating growth. muscular coordination, eyesight ,digestion and
Other body processes. these a1e present in green leafy vegetables ,other vegetables
,milk ,meat, liver and egg etc...

The Social Functions of Food.; Food has always been a central part of our social
existence. It has been a part of our community, social, cultural and religious life.
Special foods are distributed as a benediction or prasad in the religious functions in
homes, temples and churches. Eeasts are given at specific stages of life such as birth,
naming ceremony, birthdays, marriages, etc. Most of the religious festivals also.call
for feasts and feeding of specific segments of the population. Certain menus are
associated with most of these feasts in each region. Food has been used as an
expression of love, friendship and social
acceptance. It is also sed as a symbol of
happines at certain events in life, for example, pedhas are distributed to announce
success in examinations, or the birth of a baby; laddus are associated with the
celebration of Deepavali and marriages, cakes are associated with Christmas and
birthdays and Tilgul with Sankranti the festival of friendship. As food is an integral
part of our social existence, this function is important in daily life. Refreshments
served at get-togethers or mectings create a relaxed atmosphere. The menu for such
get-together should bring the people together, rather than divide them. This basie
aspect should be considered in planning menus for such occasions
Religious and moral values of food ; All most all religions place some regulations
on food . we consume certain foods that are forbidden by religions regulations for
example: Hindus do not generally eat beef, similarly Buddhist and Jains do not eat
flesh foods or eggs while Islam forbids consumption of pork. fasting again is
comunon to ail religions and certain foods are considered as fasting foods.
 PChological functions of food: In addition to satisfying physical and social needs,
st satsiy ccrtain cmotional pecds. These inciudes a sensc of sccurity, lavc and
attention. Thus familiar foods make us fccl sccure. Anticipating nceds and fulfilling these are
expressionsof love andattention. These sentiments are the basis of the normal atachment to
the gother's cooking. Sharing of foodis a token of friendship and acceptarnce. In a fricndly
Sthering we ry unfanniliar foods andthus cnlarge our food Cxperiences. It must be noted that
een a nuiritionally balanced mcal may not be satisfying to the individual, if the foods
included ae unfamiliar or distasteful to him/er. With time and repeated experience, strange
foods become famihur and new tastes are forned These aspects are important in food
cceptance and must be considered in planring nneals, which are not only nutritionaily
adequate, but also enjoyable for the group for whom they are intended.
Food is asymbol of security for all of us. milk ,the first food we take is usually associated
with security . have u notice that when you are ill and away from homme you like to drink milk
because it reminded you of the love and care of your mother provided to you refusing milk in
preterence to tea or coftee just because you felt you were an adult we also sometimes refuse
food because when we are angry with our parents or friends when we are happy we enjoy
food Occasionally in order to get attention when we are sick or lonely we impose demands
for food on parents siblings and friends who are looking after