MD 1 - Food Constituents Flashcards
What are the three macronutrients in food?
Protein
Carbohydrate
Lipids
What are the two micronutrients in food?
Vitamins
Minerals
What are phytochemicals?
- Don’t fit in the micronutrients category
- No reference values have (yet) been determined for these nutrients
- Some have “essential” functions for humans (e.g. lutein and zeaxanthin as macula pigments for the retina - involved with precise vision and determining colour)
What is fibre?
- Food for the microbiota.
- Microbiota can convert the fibre substrate into short chain fatty acids that we can absorb and yield energy from (small amounts)
- Physiological function: stimulating peristalsis in the GIT
What is water?
Medium for which all chemical reactions take place in the body
Essential
What are the food constituents of Carbohydrates?
Two types - starch or sugar molecules
Sugar molecule found in sweet food items - i.e. fruit, fruit juices, lactose in milk, confectionery baked goods/items
Starch molecule found in grains and grain by-products, starchy vegetables (potato)
Starch and sugar molecules are a large network of sugar/starch molecules attached together (large biomolecules/macromolecules) that much be broken down to be absorbed
Carbohydrates also contain other constituents such as fibre, and micronutrients
Sources of carbohydrates include grains, fruits, milk
What are the food constituents of Protein?
Two types of sources are animal or plant. Animal provides complete protein sources and plants provide incomplete sources.
Animal sources of protein include: fish, eggs, red meat, white meat & dairy
Plant sources of protein include: legumes, nuts, seeds, beans
Protein also contains other constituents i.e. lipids, and micronutrients
What are the food constituents of Lipids?
Lipids that are solid at room temperature (25 degrees) that need to be melted are known as fats.
Lipids that are liquid at room temperature are known as oils.
Lipids are not always visible - usually are added into foods via cooking methods.
Sources of lipids include sunflower seeds, nuts, avocados
Lipids can contain other constituents such as protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients. I.e. nuts.
What are the lipid soluble vitamins?
Vitamin A, D, E, K
What are the water soluble vitamins?
B1: Thiamin B2: Riboflavin B3: Niacin B5: Pantothenic Acid B6: Pyridoxine B7: Biotin B9: Cobalamin Choline Ascorbic Acid
What are vitamins function physiologically for blood formation and clotting?
Vitamin pyridoxine, cobalamin, folate, K
What are vitamins function physiologically for protein and amino acid metabolism?
Vitamin pyridoxine, folate, cobalamin, C, Choline, Riboflavin
What are vitamins function physiologically for antioxidant defences?
Vitamin E, C, carotenoids, riboflavin
What are vitamins function physiologically for gene expression?
Vitamin A and D
What are vitamins function physiologically for bone health?
Vitamin A, D, K, C
