05
Water
It is the first requirement for the body, before even food. Indeed,
water is the only essential drink. The daily requirements are estimated
at approximately 2.5 litres for an adult, half of which comes from food.
It is necessary to drink at least 1.5 litre of water per day, preferably not
all at mealtimes, and should be taken as one or two glasses every hour.
Cereal, starchy products and dried vegetables
These are cereal products (bread, pasta, couscous...), rice, starchy foods
(potato) and dried beans and pulses (lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans...).
They are the energy based foods thanks to their high content of
complex carbohydrate or sugars and form part of the requirements of
vegetable proteins. Dry and starchy foods, such as cereals, rice or dried
vegetables should be consumed at least once per day, and bread, can
be eaten with each meal.
Fresh vegetables and fruit
Fresh vegetables and fruit contain minerals and vitamins, fibre,
carbohydrate, and water. They can be eaten raw or cooked, almost at
will. Vegetables and fruit have similar nutritional qualities and you can
replace one for the other. However, neither fruit nor vegetables supply
the total requirements for vitamins and minerals: so consuming food
from a variety of food groups is important for a nutritional balance.
Dairy products
With remarkable nutritional content, dairy products in particular
provide: protein, which has nutritional value and are easily digestible,
and calcium, essential for growth and preventing osteoporosis. A diet
deprived of dairy products can never ensure the required daily intake
of calcium, vitamins A, D and group B.
Meats, poultry, fish and eggs
They are the principal food source of protein and iron. They must
be consumed twice a day from different sources: fish, poultry, pork,
eggs, and red meats.
Fats
These are oils, butter, margarines, which ensure supplies of:
• saturated fatty acids (source of energy),
• unsaturated fatty acids and essential fats
(for manufacturer and repair of cells)
• liposoluble vitamins A, D, E, K..
This group are essential for a good balanced diet, provided that they
are consumed in moderation and taken as vegetable oils, with a high
polyunsaturated fatty acid content.
Sweetened products
This group, represented by sugar and sweetened products, is different
from the preceding groups because they are not essential for a good
balanced diet and sometimes, for those with diabetes, it is even
advised against them being included. Characterised by its quickly
assimilated sugar content, this group of “pleasure" foods should only
be consumed in moderation.
The 7 food groups