Diet-Nutritional analysis in nutrition is a branch of health science that studies how specific nutrients and combinations of nutrients affect biological processes in living organisms. In medical nutrition, diet is usually the sum total of all food ingested by an individual or other organisms. This field of study has given rise to many nutritional concepts and practices, including what constitute a healthy diet, how the body processes food, what nutrients are needed, and how to design a nutritious eating plan that meets individual needs and preferences.
One of the most important factors in designing an effective diet program is determining an individual’s individual diet-nutritional analysis. An individual’s diet-nutritional analysis is an estimate of the amount of calories and other nutrients that he/she requires maintaining his/her current body size and activity level. Many people are not aware of the effect that their diet can have on their health. A diet-nutritional analysis provides a basis for individuals to make informed dietary choices that will help them maintain a healthy body weight.
The process of developing and maintaining a diet program is a complicated one. This is because different people have different metabolic processes and different requirements for the foods that they eat. A diet-nutritional analysis should take into account the individual’s age, gender, overall health, lifestyle, physical activities, and other factors that affect his/her dietary needs. By creating a personalized diet program, the individual is able to meet his/her nutritional needs and achieve maximum health.
Metabolism is the rate of chemical reactions in which different molecules convert food into energy. Energy metabolism is different from muscle mass, and the ability of the human body to absorb nutrients. Different kinds of food provide differing amounts of energy, and when people consume the same kind of foods at different times, their energy stores may decrease or increase. The process of metabolism in the body is important for proper nutrition; therefore, an individual’s diet should be composed of foods that provide the right amount of calories, fat, proteins, carbohydrates, and fiber.
Nutrient analysis is based on the principle that the nutrients present in a food can be separated into three categories: carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates provide energy, and protein is the major source of building blocks for tissues and cells. Fat contains high concentrations of antioxidants that protect against the aging process and disease, and carbohydrates can be converted into energy. An individual’s diet can be balanced by including vitamins, minerals, and the main nutrients (fats, proteins, and carbohydrates) in the proper proportion to be used by the body. This way, the diet program will be most effective and results will be seen quickly.
As the body uses nutrients in the diet program, it may convert fat into energy, or release stored fat as energy. Analysis will allow the dieter to understand what his/her needs are and to choose the appropriate amount of each nutrient so that he/she can have the best diet possible. Also, an individual may choose to implement a weight-loss program that emphasizes the intake of nutrients with the main functions of reducing the risk for many health problems. Through analysis, the dieter will have an idea how his/her diet works and whether changes are needed.
