Nutrition Flashcards
Definition of digestion?
When the body breaks down food into simpler substances that can be used as nutrients or excreted as waste.
What is peristalsis?
Involuntary muscle contractions that moves food throughout the digestive system.
What is the esophagus?
It’s a tubular organ that connects the mouth to the stomach.
What is the stomach?
Sac like organ which holds food so it can be digested by acids and enzymes.
How long does food stay in the stomach after entering?
2-8 hours
What organs are involved in digestion?
The mouth, esophagus, stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anis
Liver functions?
Filters toxins from the blood, produces bile.
Largest internal organ?
Liver
What does the bile produced by the liver break down?
Carbs, proteins, and fats
What stores, holds, and releases the bile produced by the liver whenever the body needs it?
The gallbladder
Definition of calories?
Energy stored within food that are used for processes of the body
What are the building blocks of a diet?
Macronutrients
What is required for optimal growth, development, and body function
Micronutrients
What’s considered the major building block of the body?
Protein
What is the chief enzyme and does what?
Breaks down protein
What are some sources of protein?
Beans, soy, nuts, meats, eggs, and fish.
What does the digestive system turn carbohydrates into?
Sugar
What foods contain carbohydrates?
Vegetables, fruits, milk, nuts, grains, legumes, and seeds
Carbs make how much of our daily diet?
45 - 65 %
What is the glycemic index?
Carbohydrate-containing food’s ability to increase the body’s blood glucose level
What essential nutrient helps absorb vitamins while providing a energy source?
Fats
What types of fats should be avoided?
Trans and saturated fats
Why should these fats be avoided?
The heart runs on the burning of fats, with bad fats or low-density lipoprotein (LDL’s) your heart doesn’t burn through fats like it should.
Monounsaturated fats are what kind of fat?
Healthy fats! They are high-density lipoproteins (HDL’s).
Where can you find monounsaturated fats?
Nuts, olives, olive oil, seeds, and avocados.
What do HDL’s do?
Breaks down other unneeded cholesterol, this burning of the unneeded cholesterol is vital for the heart.
What does cholesterol make?
Steroids
What is a water-soluble vitamin?
A type of vitamin that is carried to the tissues of the body but are not stored in the body by fat.
What is a fat-soluble vitamin?
A type of vitamin that is carried to the tissues of the body and are stored in the body (this occurs because they are absorbed by fats)
What is warfarin
Medicine that thins blood to prevent blood clots
Vitamin K can have a noticeable impact on what?
Blood clots
How can omega-3 fatty acids increase heart health?
By reducing triglycerides and blood pressure
What things should be avoided or limited in a renal diet?
Sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.
Processed meats.
What things should be promoted when on a heart-healthy diet?
Controlling portions, eat more fruits and vegetables, eat more whole grains, limit LDL’s, eat more low-fat protein sources, decrease sodium intake, increased fiber intake
How much sodium should an adult take a day?
No more than 2,300 mg of sodium a day (can be less depending on the person)
What does a clear-liquid diet consist of?
Consists of only liquids that are clear and offer little daily calories. Doesn’t leave residue in GI tract.
What is included in a clear-liquid diet?
Foods that partly or completely melt at room temp, tea, fruit juices without pulp, sports drinks.
What is a puréed diet?
A diet consisting of only foods that don’t need chewed. (Yogurt, pudding, mashed potatoes, etc)
On top of being soft and easy to chew, a soft diet should also be low in what?
Low in fiber
What is aspiration?
When food enters the lungs when inhaling
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
