Basic Components of Food (Nutrients) Flashcards
What are the six main nutrients need by the human body to remain healthy?
- Water
- Carbohydrates (Simple and Complex)
- Protein
- Fat
- Minerals
- Vitamins
What percentage of the human body is made up of water?
65%
True or False?:
Lack of water can cause death more quickly than any other nutrient.
True!
Lack of water CAN cause death MORE QUICKLY than lack of any other nutrient!
What do carbohydrates do for your body?
Provide energy.
What does protein do for your body?
Build and repair body tissues.
What do FATS do for your body?
Supply energy and carry fat-soluble vitamins.
What does water do for your body?
Transports nutrients and wastes.
What do VITAMINS do for your body?
Keep the body healthy and functioning properly.
What do MINERALS do for your body?
Keep body processes operating.
What are the FUNCTIONS OF WATER in the body? List them.
- Dissolves nutrients
- Transports nutrients and wastes
- Regulates body temperature
- Serves as a medium for chemical reactions
- Reacts during chemical processes
How many glasses of water is it suggested that each person should drink a day?
Six to eight glasses
What are the three types of carbohydrates?
- Sugars (simple carbohydrates)
- Starches (complex carbohydrates)
- Fiber
What chemicals are carbohydrates made up of?
- Carbon
- Hydrogen
- Oxygen
What percentage of the food you eat daily should be carbohydrates sucha s fruits, whole-grain or enriched breads and cereals, vegetables, and grains?
55%
If you don’t eat enough carbohydrates, what can happen?
You may not get enough other nutrients, have digestion problems caused by lack of fiber, and feel tired all the time.
If you overeat carbohydrates, especially simple sugars (sweets!), what can happen to you?
You may gain weight, develop tooth decay, and have poor nutrition.
What are proteins made up of?
Amino acids
What are ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS?
Amino acids that your body can NOT produce. They must be gotten from the food you eat.
How many ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS are there?
9
What is the difference in a COMPLETE protein, and an INCOMPLETE protein?
- COMPLETE PROTEINS are high quality. They contain all 9 essential amino acids.
- INCOMPLETE PROTEINS are lower quality. They do not contain all of the 9 essential amino acids.
What types of foods provide complete proteins?
Animal foods (ex: meat)
What types of foods provide incomplete proteins?
Plant Foods (ex: Beans)
What percentage of your day’s food supply should be protein?
No more than 15%
What happens if you do not eat enough protein?
People who do not get enough proteins may:
- grow more slowly
- develop infections and diseases more easily
- do not heal or recover from illness quickly
What can happen if you eat too much protein?
It could be considered toxic and you may develop serious illness.
Which vitamins are carried through your body by fats?
Fat-soluble vitamins (carried through the body by fat) are:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
True or False?:
Fats are needed for a healthy skin and nervous system.
TRUE:
Fats are needed for a healthy skin and nervous system.
