Chapter 1 (food & Nutrition) Macro Nutrients Flashcards
Nutrient
a chemical substance found in food that provides essential nourishment
nutrition
the study of nutrients in food and how the body uses them
diet
the food consumed by an individual; can include meal plans for weight loss, weight gain, other medical or cultural reasons
3 main functions of nutrients
they provide energy
they promote growth and development
they regulate body proccesses
the macro nutrients
protein, fat (lipids), carbohydrates -
-these are needed in larger amounts
the micro nutrients
vitamins, minerals and water
-these are needed in smaller amounts
Carbohydrates
A macronutrient that is the source of short-term energy/immediate energy: includes sugar, starches, dietary fibers
simple carbohydrates
Features:
- monosaccharides and disaccharides
- quick immediate source of energy
- easily broken down in the body
Examples:
- Glucose, Fructose, Galactose (Monosaccharides)
- Maltose, Sucrose, Lactose (Disaccharides)
disaccharide
contains 2 sugar unit molecules. it is formed when 2 monosaccharides link together. Some sugars for disaccharide would be: Maltose, sucrose, and lactose
glucose + glucose –> maltose (in grains)
glucose + fructose –> sucrose (table sugar, beet sugar, cane sugar – occurs in fruits & veggies)
glucose + galactose –> lactose (found in dairy products; milk)
Examples of polysaccharides/ complex carbohydrates
The storage polysaccharides: Starch - it gets broken down into simple sugars in the body (glucose) and supplies the body with long-sustained energy. Some foods include potatoes, rice, wheat, corn, and legumes.
Dietary Fibre - It is the only form of carbs that doesn’t provide energy because of the beta linkages that our enzymes cannot digest. It consists of non-digestible plant materials.
Polysaccharides (Complex carbohydrates) makeup
Made up of 10 or more monosaccharide units. It takes time to be broken down and it is made up of starch and dietary fibers.
Monosaccharides
The simplest sugar (which cannot be broken down) and the building blocks of carbohydrates. it contains 1 sugar unit molecule. Some sugars for monosaccharide would be Glucose (blood sugar), Fructose (fruit sugar – contained in most plants, especially fruits & saps), and galactose
complex carbohydrates
are made of multiple sugar molecules (polysaccharides)
take longer to break down or they don’t break down at all
taste bland
are broken down into starches and dietary fiber
complex carbohydrates examples
oats, rice, dried beans, potatoes
what are starches further broken down into
simple sugars (glucose)
supplies the body with long sustained energy
what does the body do to the carbohydrates when consumed
the body breaks it down into simple sugars (monosaccharides). It gets broken down into specifically glucose which is used for energy by your cells and organs
glucose levels should…
not be too high or too low
what happens when your body cannot obtain carbohydrates
your body breaks down the fat and protein in your body and are unavailable to do their regular jobs
what happens when you have an insufficient amount of carbohydrates in your body (carbohydrate deficiency)?
loss of muscle mass, fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, and in serious cases a condition called ketosis
ketosis
a metabolic state that occurs when your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose. it causes weakness, dehydration, nausea, and even death
what happens when you eat too many carbohydrates and why?
it is linked to things such as weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, etc
it is not the carbohydatrates but the excess sugars/simple carbs. that lead to excess storage of fat
examples of carbohydrates in foods
bread, potatoes, white rice, pasta, beans, corn, oatmeal’s, apples, raisins, mangoes, etc.
glycemic index
a measure of how a particular food affects our blood sugar/glucose levels to rise
examples of food high in glycemic index
white rice, donuts, white bread, pasta, etc. (carbs that have been processed)
examples of food medium on the glycemic index
whole wheat bread, mango, apples, natural yogurt, etc.
examples of food in low glycemic index
broccoli, eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes, etc.
adipose tissue
connective tissue in which fat is stored. it is known also known as body fat and it is mainly composed of fat cells (adipocytes) and its function is to regulate the energy of the whole body homeostasis
Insulin resistance
when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t easily take up glucose from your blood; resulting in your pancreas producing more insulin
what happens to the body if you have excess carbohydrates in your diet?
blood sugar levels rise high, causing your body to make more insulin in the pancreas. this alerts your cells to save extra glucose (blood sugar) to save excess glucose as fat. this can lead to insulin resistance
what happens if the body doesn’t have enough carbohydrates?
your body begins to burn fat for energy, leading to ketosis. too low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) may leave you weak and lightheaded as you lack the immediate energy from carbs
Insoluble
incapable of being dissolved in liquid especially water
Insoluble Fibre
- promotes regular bowel movements
- absorbs water
- lowers risk of colon cancer
- recommended serving is 20-30g per day