Food, Nutrition, And Health Flashcards
Define Nutrition
Nutritionis the interaction between food and the body. It is about thenutrientscontained in food, and their action, interaction and balance in relation to health and disease. It is the process by which people can ingest, digest, absorb, transport, utilize and excrete food substances. In addition, nutrition is concerned with social, cultural and physiological implications of food and eating. In general, the science of nutrition is the science of showing how food nourishes the body.
Define Nutrients
Nutrients are chemical substances found in food for growth and sustenance.
Define the Term Food
Food is any solid or liquid, which when ingested provides the body with nutrients.
The nutrients we get from the food we eat will affect the size and shape of our bodies.
Imporrtance Of Fibre
It is important to includefibre(roughage) in the diet because it makes the bowels work properly and provides bulk to make us feel full. Fresh fruits and vegetables, peas and beans, whole wheat flour and unrefined corn/maize give us fibre.
What is Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the incorrect or unbalanced intake of one or more nutrients. There are TWO types of malnutrition
One type of malnutrition is severe acute malnutrition (SAM). Severe acute malnutrition develops when the child is not getting enough energy or protein and other nutrients from his food to meet his nutritional needs.
It is also helpful to be aware of common clinical signs of SAM. Some clinical signs of a child with severe acute malnutrition can include:
- The child may become severely wasted (a sign of marasmus)
- The child may develop oedema (a sign of kwashiorkor)
What is Over Nutrition
Over Nutrition is the excessive intake of one or more nutrients. Common diseases associated with over- nutrition are: Obesity and Diabetes
What is Diet
Dietis the sequence and balance of meals in a day. It is concerned with the eating patterns of individuals or a group. Some people may eat twice in a day (breakfast and dinner); others may eat four times (breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner); still others may seem to be chewing all day. So basically a diet is the food a person eats every day. Some people have special diets, such as low fat diet.
The Functions of Food
he Functions of Food
All foods contain one or a combination of the 6 nutrients. If you eat a balanced diet consisting of a variety of healthy foods, you are certain to receive these nutrients every day. Food has 3 main functions in the body:
Growth and Development
Provision of Energy
Repair and maintenance of the body’s cells
What is Energy
Food supplies the fuel or energy needed to perform the many tasks of everyday living. We need energy to think, breathe, walk, sit, speak and even sleep. We get energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It is important that we eat enough food to supply all our needs. If we don’t, we will feel tired and listless. Having no energy can be compared to a car that has run out of petrol. On the other hand, if we eat more energy food than our body needs, this energy will be stored in the body as fat. Too much stored energy will result in the body becoming overweight or obese.
