SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center (314) 577-5600
Digestive System  Food Is the Body's Fuel Source  What's the
first step in digesting food? Believe it or not, the digestive
process starts even before you put food in your mouth. It begins
when you smell something irresistible or when you see a favorite
food you know will taste good. Just by smelling that homemade
apple pie or thinking about how delicious that ice cream sundae
is going to taste, you begin to salivate — and the digestive
process kicks in, preparing for that first scrumptious bite.  If
it's been a while since your last meal or if you even think
about something tasty, you feel hungry. You eat until you're
satisfied and then go about your business. But for the next 20
hours or so, your digestive system is doing its job as the food
you ate travels through your body.  Food is the body's fuel
source. The nutrients in food give the body's cells the energy
and other substances they need to operate. But before food can
do any of these thing