Intro To Nutrient Requirements Flashcards
What are nutrients?
Nutrients are chemicals which are essential for normal body function
What are macronutrients need for? Give examples.
They are needed to provide energy and are needed in large quantities. Examples include: CHO, PROTEIN AND FATS.
What are micronutrient?
Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals which are only needed in small quantities.
What are nutritional requirements and do we all require the same levels?
The amount of each nutrient needed in the human body.
No. Nutrient requirements vary for each nutrient and also vary between individuals and life stages.
What does DRV mean?
Dietary Reference Values include a series of estimates of the amount of energy and nutrients needed by different groups of healthy people in the UK population.
What does EAR refer to?
The estimated average requirement of a group for energy or a particular nutrient.
What percentage of the population will need more or less than the EAR?
50% of group will need more than EAR and 50% will need less.
What does RNI stand for and what does it refer to?
Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) is the amount of a nutrient which will meet requirements of nearly all healthy people within a group (~98%) which is more than most people actually need.
What does RNI cover?
Protein, vitamins and minerals
What does LRNI stand for and what is it in reference to?
Lower Reference Nutrient Intake (LRNI)
Minimum nutrient requirement which is only sufficient for 2.5% of population with low needs & not enough for most people.
What does safe intake refer to?
Not enough information to set RNI for some micronutrients (e.g. Vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin D in young children)
This meets the needs of most people but below a level which could have toxic effect
According to the DRV what percentage of CHO should we get from our daily energy?
Carbohydrates- 50% (47% total energy)
Free Sugars - 5%
According to the DRV what percentage of fat should we get from our daily energy?
Total fat - Not more than 35% (33% total energy)
Saturated fat - Not more than 11% (10% total energy)
According to the DRV what percentage of protein should we get from our daily energy?
Protein RNI (g) 0.75/kg body weight per day. So generally 15% of energy from food.
What is the eatwell guide?
Eatwell guide is a visual representation of healthy eating-splitting the food we eat into 5 food groups & shows how much an individual should eat from each group.
