Animal nutrition and healthy eating
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Animals, including humans
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Summary
Animal nutrition and healthy eating
In a nutshell
It is important to understand that animals, including humans, use plants and other animals as sources of food. This is because they cannot make their own as plants do through photosynthesis.
Type of diet
Animals can be classified based on their diet as either carnivores, omnivores or herbivores.
Category | Consumes | Examples |
| Carnivore | Other animals | Lions, tigers and leopards |
| Omnivore | Animals and plants | Humans, bears and foxes |
| Herbivores | Plants | Rabbits, giraffes and koalas |
Nutrients
Definition
A nutrient is a substance that is absorbed from food and that is necessary for energy, growth and development. Fibre is not strictly a nutrient, but is important to eat alongside the other nutrients to help digest food.
Examples
Carbohydrates, proteins, fats, water, vitamins and minerals are all nutrients.
A healthy diet
Humans need a balanced diet to be healthy. A balanced diet has seven nutrients that provide the functions listed below.
Nutrient | Function | Sources | Examples |
| Carbohydrates | Provides energy. | Carbohydrates | Bread, rice and pasta. |
| Protein | Repairs damaged cells and makes new cells. | Proteins | Meat, fish, legumes, eggs and dairy. |
| Fat | Provides energy and helps absorb some vitamins. | Fats | Oils and butter are fats. |
| Water | Helps blood flow, breaks down food and gets rid of waste. | Drinks | Juice and water. |
| Vitamins and minerals | Supports general health. | Fruit, vegetables and dairy | Strawberries and carrots are fruits. Milk and cheese contain dairy. |
| Fibre | Helps you feel full and help food move through your gut. | Fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates | Passion fruit and broccoli are fruit and vegetables that are high in fibre. Wholegrain bread and brown rice are carbohydrates. |
Note: Some food groups are named after the nutrient they provide.
Food groups
There are five food groups: starchy carbohydrates; protein; fruit and vegetables; dairy and fats; and sugars. When eaten in the right amounts these food groups provide a balanced diet.
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FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
What are the five food groups?
There are five major food groups: starchy carbohydrates; protein; fruit and vegetables; dairy and fats; and sugars.
Why do animals need to eat?
Animals, including humans, use plants and other animals as sources of food. This is because they cannot make their own as plants do through photosynthesis.
What is a nutrient?
A nutrient is a substance that is absorbed from food and that is necessary for energy, growth and development.