NUTRITION IS THE SCIENCE OR STUDY OF FOOD AND THE WAYS IN WHICH THE BODY USES FOOD; STUDY OF HOW AND WHY WE MAKE FOOD CHOICES

NUTRIENTS ARE SUBSTANCES IN FOOD THAT PROVIDE ENERGY OR HELP FORM BODY TISSUES AND ARE NECESSARY FOR LIFE AND GROWTH

Carbohydrates Are a class of energy-giving nutrients that includes sugars, starches and fiber Simple Carbohydrates – made up of single or double sugar molecules Complex Carbohydrates – many sugar molecules linked together

Carbohydrates (cont’d) Starches- complex carbs found in starchy vegetables such as potatoes, beans, peas and grains (rice, corn and wheat). 45-65% of a healthy diet should contain Carbs.

Fiber A type of complex carb that keeps your intestine healthy by increasing fluid and bulk in the digestive tract Soluble- can be dissolved in water i.e – oatmeal, apples, beans Insoluble- can’t be dissolved in water. Adds bulk in your waste. Found in skins of fruit, vegetables brown rice, corn etc.

Fats Are a class of energy-giving nutrients and are the main form in which energy is stored in the body. Fat belongs to chemical compounds called : Lipids – fatty or oil substances that do not dissolve in water. Fats are large molecules that are made up of two kinds of smaller molecules – fatty acids and glycerol. Three fatty acids are linked to one glycerol (triglycerides)

PROTEINS MUSCLES, SKIN, HAIR AND NAILS ARE MADE UP OF MOSTLY PROTEIN. PROTEINS IN THE BODY HELP BUILD NEW CELLS AND REPAIR EXISTING ONES. PROTEIN IS ALSO NEEDED TO FORM HORMONES, ENZYMES, ANTIBODIES AND OTHER IMPORTANT MOLECULES. MADE UP OF CHAINS OF MOLECULES CALLED AMINO ACIDS 20 AMINO ACIDS MAKE UP BODY PROTEIN, 11 ARE PRESENT AND 9 ARE NEEDED FROM DIET

VITAMINS CLASS OF NUTRIENTS THAT CONTAIN CARBON AND ARE NEEDED IN SMALL AMOUNTS TO MAINTAIN HEALTH AND ALLOW GROWTH. VITAMINS ARE SOMETIMES ADDED TO FOODS THAT ARE LOW IN CETAIN VITAMINS FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS – VIT. A,D,E,AND K. THEY DISSOLVE IN FAT WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS – VIT B (8 TYPES) AND VIT C. DISOLVES IN WATER. UNLIKE FAT SOLUBLE, THESE DO NOT STAY IN THE BODY WELL.