BASIC NUTRITION

Nutrition:

The study of how food nourishes

the body.

Factors That Affect a Person’s Longterm Health

• Genetics

• Lifestyle– Exercise– Smoking and other tobacco use – Excessive alcohol consumption

• Choice of diet

Nutrients

Components of food that are indispensable to the functioning of the body.

Essential Nutrients: Nutrients that cannot be made by the body so a deficiency in the diet leads to disease.

There Are 6 Categories Nutrients

• Water

• Carbohydrates

• Lipids (fat)

• Proteins

• Vitamins

• Minerals

Macronutrients

Micronutrients

(> 50 grams/day)

(< 1 gram/day)

Basic Functions of Nutrients

• 1) Provide building materials for body structures.

• 2) Provide energy.

• 3) Regulate body processes.

1 2 3

Water Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Vitamins Minerals

Building Materials

Water 60%

Lipids 10-20%

Proteins 15%

Carbohydrates 10-15%

Minerals 5%

1 2 3

Water Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Vitamins Minerals

XXXX

X

Building Materials

1 2 3

Water Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Vitamins Minerals

X X X X X

XXX

Supply Energy

Energy Units

calorie: The amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 ml of water 1 degree C (from 15 to 16 degrees).

Kilocalorie (Kcal): 1000 calories

In nutritional literature Calories (with a capital C) means Kilocalories

Kilocalories Per Gram

Carbohydrates 4 Kcal/gram

Proteins 4 Kcal/gram

Lipids 9 Kcal/gram

Alcohol 7 Kcal/gram

Calculating the Percent of Kcal from Each Nutrient in Foods

Fat 13 grams

Carbohydrate 31 grams

Protein 5 grams

13 grams X 9 Kcal/gm = 117 Kcal

31 grams X 4 Kcal/gm = 124 Kcal

5 grams X 4 Kcal/gm = 20 Kcal

/ 261 = 0.448 (44.8%)

261 Kcal Total

/ 261 = 0.475 (47.5%)

/ 261 = 0.077 (7.7%)

1 2 3

Water Carbohydrates Lipids Proteins Vitamins Minerals

X X X X X

XXX X

XX

X

Regulation

Elemental DietsFormulas containing precise chemical composition.

Applications?

Cannot maintain health for a prolonged period of time.

Why not?

Food interacts with the GI tract.

Food provides physical and emotional benefits.

Food provides phytochemicals.

For patients who cannot eat

Problem?

AstronautsWeight loss formulas (Slim Fast)

Types of Scientific Studies

Case Study: Observations on a single patient.

Does not prove anything, but suggests possible avenues of research.

A case study:

Types of Scientific Studies

Case Study: Observations on a single patient.

Epidemiological Study:

Compare separate population groups with respect to nutrient intake and incidence of disease.

Does not prove a cause and effect relationship.

Does provide correlations for further study

An epidemiological study:

Types of Scientific Studies

Case Study: Observations on a single patient.

Epidemiological Study:

Compare separate population groups with respect to nutrient intake and incidence of disease.

Intervention Study:

Give one population group extra nutrient while a control group gets a placebo.

Then compare the incidence of disease between the experimental and control groups.

Study group given more X

Control group given a placebo

When repeated and confirmed may strongly suggest a cause and effect relationship

Blind Studies

Intervention Studies:

Subjects do not know whether they are getting the nutrient or placebo.

Types of Scientific Studies

Laboratory Study:

Induce a deficiency of a nutrient in an experimental group of animals.

Then compare the incidence of disease between the experimental group and a control group.

Read in Chapter 1

Cultural and Social Meanings Attached to Food

(pages 11-14)

Nutrition Goals for the Nation (pages 14-15)

The Challenge of Choosing Foods (pages 15-16)

Five Characteristics of a Nutritious Diet

• Variety

• Balance

• Adequacy

• Calorie Control

• Moderation

How well do Americans do?

Nutrient Density

The nutrient content relative to the calories supplied.

Nutrient Density

The nutrient content relative to the calories supplied.

What type of foods have the highest nutrient density?

Non starchy vegetables

Other Good Ones: Low fat dairy productsLow fat meats

Reading Assignment

Controversy 1: Who speaks on nutrition?

(pages 22-26)