Nutrition: Introduction Human Biology 11
Nutrition Obtaining the foods necessary for health and growth. Humans must eat food to provide cells with the materials they need to support life.
Nutrients A substance that provides nourishments necessary for growth and the maintenance of life. Six Essential Nutrients: Carbohydrates Fats Proteins Vitamins Minerals Water
Carbohydrates Used for immediate energy. Two kinds: Sugars Starches Source: Grains Fruits Vegetables
Fats Used for energy, mostly stored. Keep the body warm. Source: Meat Dairy Oils
Proteins Build, maintain, and repair cells and tissues. Source: Meat, eggs, fish Dairy Nuts Legumes Brown rice, oatmeal
Vitamins Help control chemical reactions in the body. Needed for proper growth. Source: Fruits Vegetables
Minerals Needed for healthy tissues Strong bones Teeth Muscles Nerves
Water The environment for chemical reactions. Helps maintain heat. Taken directly as a drink or taken in through foods.
Balanced Diet Choosing a wide variety of foods from all the food groups to get the correct amount of the essential nutrients. It also means avoiding certain foods or eating certain foods in moderation.
Balanced Diet You must have carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fibre in the correct proportions. If there is not enough protein, you will not be able to grow properly and you will not be able to repair yourself (ie. wounds will not heal properly). If you do not have enough energy containing foods you will feel very tired, you will not have enough energy. If you have too much energy containing foods you will become overweight. If you think that you are overweight you might try taking more exercise to "burn off" some of the excess food which you ate at you last meal.