Nutrition Flashcards
What is nutrition
Nutrition: the process by which the body obtains and uses certain components of food
It includes digestion , absorption, transportation and cell metabolism
What is a nutrient
Nutrient: chemicals taken into the body and used to produce energy, provide building blocks for new molecules, and function in other chemical reactions
6 nutrients
Macronutrients
Water , carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
Micronutrients
Vitamins and minerals
Essential nutrients
Minerals, most vitamins, nine amino acids, and 1-3 of the fatty acids must be consumed in diet
Calorie
Amount of energy (heat) necessary to raise the temperature of 1g of water by 1 degree
Kilocalories
Calorie x 1000
1 kilocalories
= 4.184 kilojoules (KJ)
Carbohydrate and protein
4 kcal/g
Fats
= 9kcal/g
Alcohol
= 7.1kcal/g (empty calories- no nutritional benefits)
Recommend daily intake
Depends on sex, age, weight and activity ~ 2000Cal women and 2500Cal men
Carbohydrates
Primary source of energy
~ 440g in body (325 muscles , 90-100 liver and 15-20 blood)
Accounts for ~ 45-65% of total kilojoules
Erythrocytes and neurons can not mobilise fats or amino acids therefore need to rely on carbohydrates
Homeostasis regulates by insulin and glucose
Excess amount of carbohydrates leads to dental , obesity
Deficient amount of carbohydrates leads to metabolic acidosis
Monosaccharides ( type of carbohydrates)
Carb in there simple form known as simple sugars
Three types
Glucose( veg)
Fructose ( fruits, berries and honey)
Galactose ( milk)
Diasaccharides
Two aided together two carbs added together
Sucrose( table sugar) -composed of glucose molecule and fructose molecule ( sugar cane, sugar beets, honey)
Lactose (milk sugar) - glucose and galactose molecule
Maltose( germinating cereals- two glucose molecules
Polysaccharide
Many carbs together
Complex carbohydrates- numerous glucose molecules combined to create a chain
• starch ( primarily vegetables, fruits and grains
• glycogen ( muscle and liver)
- insulin released post meal
- muscles hoard ~ 2/3
• fibre - cellulose ( plant cell walls) indigestible