Nutrients Flashcards
What are carbohydrates made of?
carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms
What are the 2 types of carbohydrates?
Simple carbs (sugars) and complex carbs (starches)
What foods contain simple carbs?
Sugars, such as fruits, honey and milk
What is glucose?
A type of sugar (carb) that provides fuel for the work done by a body’s cell.
Your cells break down glucose molecules and extract their stored energy.
What happens to glucose that isn’t used immediately?
Glucose molecules that your cells do not use immediately are incorporated into larger carbohydrates or are used to make fat molecules.
What food contains complex carbs?
Starches such as whole-grain cereals, bread, rice and potatoes.
What are complex carbs used for?
Complex carbs are broken down into simple sugars, glucose (blood sugar), and are used for energy.
What happens to excess complex carbs and where is it stored?
Complex carbs (now simple sugars) are turned into glycogen and stored mostly in the liver but also in muscle and fat cells.
When is glycogen turned to glucose and vice versa?
Glycogen is turned to glucose when the body needs energy and vice versa when there is too much glucose
What is another name for simple sugars?
Blood sugar
Where do you get fiber?
Plants - fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, bran and wheat germ
What is the scientific term for fiber?
Cellulose
What type of carb is cellulose?
Complex carb
What is the use of cellulose?
Supplies bulk to your muscles to help move food and waste through your digestive system.
Cellulose can’t be broken down.
What are the 6 types of nutrients?
Water, Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Minerals and Vitamins
Which nutrients are macronutrients and which are micronutrients?
Macro: Protein, Carbs, Fats, Water
Micro: Vitamins, Minerals
What are amino-acids?
“Building-blocks” of protein
What is protein made of?
20 kinds of amino-acids
What does protein do?
Provide raw materials for growth and repair, and to make enzymes and other proteins and to help transport oxygen, may be used as fuel
What are enzymes?
A type of protein that speeds up certain chemical reactions without being consumed in the reaction
What are essential amino-acids?
Amino-acids that can’t be made from other molecules
How many essential amino-acids are there?
8
What food provides protein?
Animal products such as meat, milk, eggs and cheese
For vegetarians:rice and lentils, corn and beans, hummus with pita bread
What happens if you lack an amino-acid
You con’t produce proteins properly
