The Nutrients You Need Eating Responsibly 8 th Grade

Objectives Identify the six classes of essential nutrients Explain how the body uses the six classes of essential nutrients Your body uses some nutrients for energy. The energy is used for body’s growth, maintenance, and repair. Your body uses other nutrients to maintain certain body functions. Your body can make some nutrients. Most of the nutrients, however, must come from the food you eat. These nutrients are called the essential nutrients.

Six Classes of Essential Nutrients The six classes of essential nutrients are: Carbohydrates Fats Proteins Vitamins Minerals Water

How Your Body uses Nutrients Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins provide your body with energy. Vitamins and minerals help your body use and regulate the energy from the other nutrients. Water helps transport nutrients, lubricates your joints, and regulates your body temperature.

The amount of energy your body gets from a food is measured in units called calories. The process of converting the energy in food into energy your body can use is called metabolism Because each nutrients plays a different role in helping your body function properly, you must have all the nutrients to stay healthy. So, you need to eat a variety of foods that provide you with the nutrients your body needs.

Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy. A carbohydrate is a chemical composed of one or more simple sugars. One gram of carbohydrate has 4 calories. Two basic types of carbohydrates are simple and complex carbohydrates.

Simple carbohydrates are sugars, such as table sugar, honey, and the sugar found in fresh fruit. Simple carbohydrates are easy for your body to digest and give your body quick energy. Complex carbohydrates, or starches, are made of many sugar molecules linked together. Complex carbohydrates include breads, pastas, rice, and potatoes. Fiber is a complex carbohydrate that is a healthy part of a balanced diet.

Fats Most people think that fat are not healthful. But, a small amount of fat is essential for good health. Fats are energy storage nutrients that help the body store some vitamins. Fats are important, but only in small amounts. Diets that have too much fat have been linked to weight gain and heart disease. Sources of fat include butter, vegetable oil, margarine, and other dairy products. Proteins

Vitamins Vitamins do not provide energy, but they help keep your body healthy. Vitamins are organic compounds that control several body functions. You may know people who take vitamins in a form of a pill. Taking vitamin pills is one way to get all of your vitamins. But the best way to get your vitamins is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Minerals

Water A human cannot survive for more than a few days without water. That is how important water is to your body. Your body is almost 70 percent water. Water carries nutrients and waste products throughout your body Water helps your body keep a constant temperature Water surrounds your joints and keeps them moving smoothly.

If you do not get enough water every day, your body will not function properly. In fact, if you do not drink enough water, your body may dry out. The drying out is called dehydration. Dehydration can lead to fainting or, in very extreme cases, death. You should drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. You should drink more water if exercise or play sports.

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