1. The Role of Nutrition in Our Health

Question 1

What are some of the factors that affect and influence our food choices?

Answer 1

1. Sustainability
2. Social network of family and friends
3. Food cultures and customs
4. Food cost
5. Education, occupation, and income
6. Routines and habits
7. Lifestyle
8. Health and nutrition concerns, knowledge and beliefs
9. Food marketing
10. Food availability
11. Flavour, texture, appearance

Question 1

Define nutrition.

Answer 1

The sciences that studies food and how food nourishes our body and influences our health. It encompasses how we consume, digest, metabolize, and store nutrients and how these nutrients affect out body.

Basic functions of nutrients:

1. Provide energy
2. Contribute to body structure
3. Regulate chemical processes in the body

Question 2

Define carbohydrates.

Answer 2

Primary source of fuel for our body and provide majority of calories in our diet (4 kcal/gram).

Carbo = carbon, hydrate = water

Question 3

Define lipid.

Answer 3

Main form of energy storage in the body. Major component of cell membranes, surround and protect organs, and provide insulation.

Source of energy for our body (9 kcal/gram).

Dietary sources include animals and plants.

Question 4

Define proteins.

Answer 4

Support tissue growth, repair, and maintenance. Component of blood cells, enzymes and immune functions.

Energy yielding 4 kcal/gram.

Dietary sources include animals and plant.

Question 5

Define vitamin.

Answer 5

Enable chemical reactions to occur in the body, regulate energy metabolism and repair cell damage.

13 essential vitamins.

Water soluble (vitamin C and B) and fat soluble (vitamin A,D,E,K).

DO NOT supply energy to the body.

Question 6

Define mineral.

Answer 6

Structural and functional roles in the body. Do not contain carbon atoms.

Question 7

Define water.

Answer 7

Acts as a solvent and lubricant. Transports nutrients and wastes. Majority of our body weight.

Question 8

Define phytochemicals.

Answer 8

Chemical found in plants, especially fruits and vegetables.

Question 9

Define calorie (kilocalorie kcal).

Answer 9

Calorie: amount of heat it takes to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree celsius.

Kilocalorie (kcal): 1000 calories = 1 kilocalorie = 1 (food) Calorie

Question 10

What is the calorie content of each macronutrient?

Fat = 2.5g Carbohydrate = 29g Protein = 6g

Answer 10

Fat 2.5g * 9 = 22.5 kcal
Carbohydrate 29g * 4 = 116 kcal
Protein 6g * 4 = 24 kcal
___________
162.5 kcal

Question 11

What percent of total calories comes from protein?

1/4 cup of quinoa contains 162.5 kcal and 6g of protein.

Answer 11

6g of protein x 4 kcal per gram of protein = 24 kcal from protein

24 kcal from protein/162.5 total kcal = 0.15 x 100 = 15% of calories from protein

Question 12

A serving of ranch dressing containing 23g of fat would yield _____ kcal from fat?

Answer 12

23g of fat x 9 kcal/g = 207 kcal from fat

Question 13

One cup of milk contains 15g of carbohydrates, 8 g of fat and 8g of protein. This cup of milk supplies ____ kcal.

Answer 13

Carbs 15g x 4kcal = 60kcal/g
Fat 8g x 9kcal = 72kcal/g
Protein 8g x 4kcal = 32 kcal/gram
________
164 kcal