The Importance of Nutrition

Chapter 10 Lesson 1Nutrition – the process by which your body

takes in and uses food.Nutrients – substances in food that your body

needs to grow, to repair itself, and to supply you with energy.

Calorie – a unit of heat used to measure the energy your body uses and the energy it receives from food.

What Influences your Food ChoicesHunger – the natural physical drive to eat,

prompted by the body’s need for food.Appetite – the psychological desire for food.

Giving Your Body What It NeedsYour body uses nutrients in many ways:

As an energy sourceTo heal, and build and repair tissueTo sustain growthTo help transport oxygen to cellsTo regulate body functions

CarbohydratesStarches and sugars found in foods, which

provide your body’s main source of energy.45-65% of your daily caloriesThree types of carbohydrates

Simple Carbohydrates – sugars such as fructose and lactose Occur naturally in fruits, dairy products, honey, and

syrup Added to processed foods such as cold cereals, bread,

and bakery products Complex Carbohydrates– or starches

Long chains of sugars linked together Sources include; grains, grain products such as bread

and pasta, beans, and root vegetables Fiber – a tough complex carbohydrate that the body

cannot digest Moves waste through the body at an appropriate rate.

ProteinsNutrients the body uses to build and maintain its

cells and tissues.Your body needs 20 amino acids; the amount you

need depends on gender and age.Body can make all but 9

These 9 are essential amino acidsComplete proteins

Contain all 9 essential amino acids Include all animal products and soy

Incomplete proteins Usually missing one or more amino acid Includes plant proteins such as grains, seeds, and

legumes

FatsDietary fats are composed of fatty acids; fat in all foods

is a combination of saturated and unsaturated fats:Unsaturated fats – vegetable oils, nuts and seeds

Can lower your risk of heart disease.Saturated fats – found mostly in animal-based foods; some

plant fats including palm, coconut, and palm kernel oils. Saturated fats can increase your risk of heart disease.

Trans fats – formed by a process called hydrogenation adding hydrogen to vegetable oils. Found in many snack foods, packaged foods, and cookies and

crackers. Can raise total cholesterol which increases your risk of heart

disease.

Health Issues Related to Dietary FatBody needs some fat to function properly.Foods containing a lot of fat are generally

high in calories.Eating a lot of fat can lead to unhealthy

weight gain and obesity.

VitaminsCompounds found in food that help regulate

many body processesWater-Soluble – vitamin C, folic acid, and B

vitamins Dissolve in water and pass easily into the blood

stream Body does not store these vitamins Removed by the kidneys

Fat-Soluble – vitamins A,D,E, and K Stored in fat for later use Can become toxic if too much are consumed.

MineralsElements found in food that is used by the

body.

WaterEssential for most body functions

Moving food through the digestive tractDigestionTransporting nutrients and removing

wasteStoring and releasing heatCooling the bodyCushioning the eyes, brain and spinal cordLubricating joints

What healthy eating is not…http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=UcwQ4uFwxDs&feature=related

HEALTHY EATING http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=i195cJcP8l0&feature=related