Digestive and Excretory Systems - To grow, your body needs raw materials or nutrients ● Nutrients are substances the body requires for energy, growth, development, repair, or maintenance. ● Nutrients come from your diet.

Four Food Groups Grain products Vegetables and fruit Milk products In order to ensure that your diet is healthy is to eat foods from four food groups: Grain products Vegetables and fruit Milk products Meat and alternatives

Types of Nutrients There are five different types of nutrients you can obtain from food. A balanced diet will have the correct amount. Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Minerals and vitamins Water

Carbohydrates The body’s quickest source of energy. There are two kinds: simple and complex A simple carbohydrate is a molecule of a sugar, the most common type is glucose. A complex carbohydrate is a chain of simple carbohydrates joined together. Your body must break down the chain into simple sugars to use the energy.

Proteins Used to build parts of your body’s muscles, skin, hair and nails. Your body makes proteins for use in reactions in your cells. Foods such as fish, poultry, meat, nuts, soy, and dairy are rich in proteins.

Fats Used to build cell membranes. Stored by the body for future energy uses Foods such as shortening, butter, oil, cream and meat contain fat. Many people consume too much fat. Unsaturated fats come from fruits, vegetables, and fish. They are liquid at room temperature. Saturated fats are usually animal fats, such as butter or lard. They are solid at room temperature. Diets rich in saturated fats can lead to an increase in heart disease. Plaque builds up in the blood vessels, and the flow of blood is reduced. This leads to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Unsaturated Fats

Minerals and Vitamins Needed in small amounts to perform various body functions. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Going out in the sunlight helps your body make vitamin D.

Water Not a nutrient, but essential for life Transports nutrients and wastes Necessary for many chemical reactions and for cooling the body