For centuries, man's search for food to survive has been a principal concern. Man needs food in order to survive. Until recently, man ate what he could get to eat and was for the most food grateful. Man only knew then that he must have food to live and was unaware of the importance o a properly balanced diet. With the development of the science of nutrition, the proper amount and kinds of food have a definite relation to physical vigor, freedom from disease, and no longer life. This the necessity of making wise selection among the various food stuffs offered for sale becomes of great importance in food choices.
Food is an important factor that influences the health of the body. It also affects the emotional life, the attitudes, the capacity for accomplishment and happiness of an individual. Whether one eats at home, in restaurants, in school cafeterias, in market carenderias, or in any other place, food selection will inevitanly come in. To be able to make intelligent selection,one must have knowledge of some principles about food as well as about body requirements. This realization has justified the inclusion of courses like foods, nutrition and health in our present secondary curriculum.
Intelligent selection of food implies not only correct choice but also careful preparation before cooking so as not to impair nutrients; careful cooking to retain these food nutrients and to develop flavor and color, attractive serving of food to entire appetite and at the same time to insure its tasteful quality.
A healthy body, physically fit in every aspect, comes from correct food habits and other contributing factors. Physical fitness is an important asset such that we cannot leave food selection and preparation to chance.