The Role of Nutrients in the Body What

The Role of Nutrients in the Body

What Is Nutrition? The study of how your body uses the food that you eat.

What is a Nutrient? Chemical substance in food that helps maintain the body. Some provide energy. All help build cells and tissues, and regulate bodily processes such as breathing. No single food supplies all the nutrients the body needs to function.

Six Classes of Nutrients I. III. IV. V. VI. Carbohydrates Fats Protein Vitamins Minerals Water

Nutrients that have Calories üProteins: 1 gram = 4 calories ü Carbohydrates: 1 gram = 4 calories ü Fats: 1 gram = 9 calories

Carbohydrates 3 Types Simple - Named due to their simple chemical structure. Made up of six kinds of Sugars Glucose, Sucrose, Maltose, Fructose, Galactose, Lactose Complex - More complicated chemical structure. Starches

Types of Carbohydrates Continued Fiber Need 20 -35 grams of fiber a day Two Types n Soluble n Insoluble

Soluble n n Dissolves in water Increases thickness of stomach contents May reduce blood cholesterol levels Found in fruits, vegetables, lentils, and oat products

Insoluble n n n Does not dissolve in water Helps food move through the large intestine at a normal rate Found mostly in fruit/vegetable skins and whole wheat/wheat bran products

Functions of Carbohydrates in the body n Best source of energy. n Helps the body to digest fats. n Allows the body to use protein for growth and maintenance instead of energy.

Sources n n n Grains – Bread, cereal, pasta, rice Vegetables – corn, potatoes, dry beans and peas Fruits – simple sugars

FATS Types n Saturated – Solid at room temperature n Unsaturated – Liquid at room temperature

Function of Fats in the Body n n n Provide Energy Helps body absorb Vitamins A, D, E, & K Protects vital organs Provides insulation Helps to make you feel full longer

Sources of Fats n n n Meat Milk Nuts Vegetable oils Junk foods

PROTEIN n n Chemical compound found in every body cell Made up of Amino Acids n n 20 are needed by the body 9 are essential n Body can’t make them so you must get them from your foods. n Those that come from Animal sources are called complete proteins n Those that come from plant sources are called incomplete proteins.

Functions in the Body n Builds and repairs body tissues. n n Hair, eyes, skin, muscles and bones are all made of protein Help fight disease because immune system is made of protein.

Sources n n n n Meat Poultry Fish Milk Cheese Eggs Dried beans, peas and nuts