macronutrients Flashcards
what are macronutrients?
nutrients we need in excess
supply us with the energy we need for daily life and for physical exercise
how many calories are there in a gram of carbs?
4
how many calories are there in a gram of proteinn?
4
how many calories are there in a gram of fat?
9
what are the two types of carbs?
complex and simple
what are complex carbs?
take longer for the body to digest ad keep you full longer
what are simple carbs?
digest quicker than complex carbs
can cause large swings in our blood sugar levels
what is the blood sugar/glucose level?
the concentration of glucose present in the blood
what is the glycemic index?
measures how foods will affect our blood sugar when we eat them
indicates the rate of carbohydrate digestion and its effects on blood glucose levels
what are empty calories?
provide calories, but lack vitamins, minerals, and fibre
converted to fat and stored in the body as fat tissue
what are proteins?
molecules that make up a large portion of our body and they are involved in virtually all of our body’s cellular functions
what are dietary fats?
the most energy-dense macronutrients
an important source of concentrated energy in our diet and are essential for athletes because they are a source of energy at rest and during low-intensity activity
how are dietary fats classified?
based on the number of hydrogen atoms that are associated with carbon atoms in a fat
what are the types of fats?
unsaturated and saturated
what is the worst type of fats?
trans fats