How your body uses food

Direct answer: Your body breaks food down into smaller parts, absorbs them, and sends them where they are needed. Carbohydrates and fats are mainly used for energy, proteins for building and repair, and vitamins and minerals help run the processes. Fibre is the part of plant foods the body does not break down.

What happens to carbohydrates?

They are broken down to simple sugars and used for energy (4 kcal/g). Starch and fibre are the two forms of complex carbohydrate, per ICMR-NIN.

What happens to protein?

Proteins are made of 20 amino acids. Nine are 'essential': the body can't make them, so they must come from food. The body uses amino acids to build its own proteins.

What happens to fat?

Fats provide energy and carry the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, helping the body absorb them.

Does food affect how I feel?

Food supplies the energy your body and brain run on, and regular balanced meals help you avoid the slump of going too long without eating. Effects vary by person; we keep this general and don't make claims about mood.

FAQ

Is fibre absorbed?

Dietary fibre is not broken down by the body's own enzymes in the small intestine, which is how FSSAI defines it.

Are vitamins a source of energy?

No. They provide no kcal but are needed for many body processes.

Sources

• ICMR-NIN Expert Committee, Dietary Guidelines for Indians-2024 (DGI 2024), nin.res.in/dietaryguidelines/pdfjs/locale/DGI_2024.pdf, Guideline 1 (PDF pp. 22–27 / printed pp. 5–10)
• FSSAI, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020 (compendium Version-I, 23.09.2021), fssai.gov.in, regulation 5(3)(a)(iv) (definition of dietary fibre); compendium PDF pp. 9–10 (definitions, 2000 kcal reference) and p. 13 (energy factors)