Nutrition Flashcards
6 essential nutrients
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Proteins
- Water
- Vitamins
- Minerals
What are essential nutrients?
- Necessary for energy
- Needed for the building and maintenance of tissues
- Relied upon for the regulations of body functions
How many kilocalories does the average person require?
Approximately 2000 kilocalories per day
What are the caloric values in fats, alcohol, carbs, and protein?
Fats = 9 Cal/g
Alcohol = 7 Cal/g
Carbs = 4 Cal/g
Protein = 4 Cal/g
What is the primary source of energy?
Carbohydrates (up to 60% of daily calories)
What are the three groups of carbohydrates? And what are they based off?
Three groups based on number of saccharides
SIMPLE CHO
-concentrated = refined sugar
-natural = fruits, vegetables and grains
- Monosaccharides = glucose, fructose, galactose **
- Disaccharides = sucrose, maltose, lactose **
COMPLEX CHO
3. Polysaccharides (glycogen and starches) fruits, vegetables and grains
What are carbohydrates stored as?
Stored as muscle & liver glycogen
What are excess carbohydrates stored as?
Excess carbs stored as adipose
What is the Glycemic Index?
- Foods with high glycemic index
- Digest quickly, raise blood sugar (table sugar, honey, refined cereals) - Foods with moderate glycemic index (pasta, oatmeal, rice)
- Foods with low glycemic index (beans, fruits, apple, peach)
What should you watch out for?
Foods high in simple sugars with little nutritional value that should be eaten in moderation
What was the WHO’s statement on free sugar for children and adults?
Should be less than 10% of total energy intake
Approx 50 grams (12 teaspoons)
What are the types of Fibre?
- Soluble fibre
- Insoluble fibre
What is soluble fibre?
- Lowers blood cholesterol
- Slows absorption of glucose
What is insoluble fibre?
- Facilitates feces elimination
- Can prevent constipation, lower intestinal tract cancer
What are proteins a structural component for?
MBBEHCm
- Muscles
- Bones
- Blood
- Enzymes
- Hormones
- Cell membrane
What can proteins be broken down to?
Amino acids
How are proteins obtained?
Some produced by body if not obtained in diet (nonessential amino acids)
Some must be attained in diet (essential amino acids)
What are proteins essential for?
Regulating metabolism (enzymes, hormones)
Important for growth
What are complete proteins?
- Proteins that contain all the essential proteins
- Animal products (meat, dairy)
Protein requirements:
General recommendations?
0.8 g / kg of body weight / day
Protein requirements:
Endurance athletes?
1.2 - 1.4 g / kg of body weight / day