nutrients Flashcards
6 main nutrient categories
carbohydrates, protein, fats, water, vitamins, minerals
carbohydrates food sources
bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, oranges, grapes and bananas
carbohydrates functions
- main source of energy as it is the easiest for the body to break down
- should provide the majority of the energy needed
glycaemic index
rates foods that contain carbohydrates from 1-100 based on how quickly they cause blood-glucose levels to rise
metabolism
converts the fuel in the food we eat into energy
glucose
- preferred fuel for energy
- carbs are very rich in glucose
- glucose=energy
- sugarrr
carbohydrate deficiency
- low energy levels
- low energy stores
- low concentration levels
- poor sports and academic performance
- constipations, ibs
- bowel cancer (Long Term)
carbohydrate excess
- weight gain
- obesity
- breathlessness
- high blood pressure (long term)
- heart disease (long term)
- diabetes (long term)
fibre function
- a type of carb
- travels through the digestive system like a digestive cleaner
- provides a feeling of fullness (assist in weight maintenance)
- reduces cholesterol levels (reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life
- absorbs water which adds bulk to the faeces
- prevention of colorectal cancer
- prevents constipation
fibre food soruces
- bran
- wholemeal bread
- grains and seeds
- fruit and vegetables
*raspberries, apples, bananas, oranges, potatoes, broccoli, corn
fibre deficiency
- constipation
- ibs
- cancers (bowel)
fibre excess
- bloating
- gas
- constipation
- excess fibre is stored as fat
protein function
- build, maintain and repair body cells
- act as a fuel for producing energy when a person doesn’t have enough carbs
- secondary fuel source
- contain essential amino acids needed for the body’s functions
protein food sources
- eggs
- milk
- cheese
- beef
- chicken/poultry
- fish and seafood
- tifu
- soy milk
- legumes
- nuts
protein deficiency (long term)
- muscle and lean tissue broken down for energy
- starvation
- brittle bones
- swollen joints
protein excess
- weight gain
- breathlessness
- obesity (LT)
- high blood pressure (LT)
- heart disease (LT)
- diabetes (LT)
fats (lipids)
- are a richer fuel for energy than carbs and protein
- development and maintenance of cell membranes which form an important component of body cells
- 4 types of fats
types of fats
good fats:
- monounsaturated
- polyunsaturated
bad fats:
- trans
- saturated
good fats function
- supporting brain function
- promoting the health of the heart and blood vessels
monounsaturated fats function
- assist in lowering low-density lipoproteins (LDL, bad cholesterol)
- decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease
HDL
- high density lipoproteins
- ‘good’ cholesterol
- increased by polyunsaturated fats
LDL
- low density lipoproteins
- ‘bad’ cholesterol
- lowered by poly and mono unsaturated fats.
polyunsaturated fats function
- two main categories: omega-3 and omega-6
- both omega 3 and 6 lower LDL cholesterol and increase HDL (good cholesterol) which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
- omega-3 promotes elasticity of the blood vessels and prevent blood clots