Nutrition Study Flashcards
What is nutrition?
The process of obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
Nutrition encompasses the intake of food and how it affects the body.
How does the food you eat affect your gut?
Food influences gut microbiota composition and digestive health.
How does the food you eat affect your brain?
Food can impact cognitive function, mood, and mental health.
What is the difference between a diet and a fad diet?
A diet is a long-term eating plan, while a fad diet is a temporary and often unhealthy eating pattern.
Know the difference between level 1-4 processed foods and name examples of each.
Level 1: Unprocessed (e.g., fruits, vegetables)
Level 2: Minimally processed (e.g., frozen vegetables)
Level 3: Processed (e.g., canned vegetables)
Level 4: Ultra-processed (e.g., sugary snacks).
Why is fast food more desirable than healthier food choices?
Fast food is often more convenient, cheaper, and heavily marketed.
What is a ‘health halo’?
The perception that a product is healthy based on certain attributes, despite being unhealthy overall.
Identify and explain misleading claims from a product.
Misleading claims can exaggerate health benefits or downplay negative aspects.
What are carbohydrates made up of?
Carbohydrates are made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
What are the two main types of carbohydrates?
Simple carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates.
Provide 3 examples of simple carbohydrates.
- Glucose
- Fructose
- Sucrose.
What happens to carbohydrates if they are not immediately used as energy?
They are converted to glycogen and stored in the liver and muscles.
Provide 3 functions of proteins in the body.
- Building and repairing tissues
- Enzymatic functions
- Hormonal functions.
Identify 4 critical functions that fats provide for the body.
- Energy source
- Insulation
- Protection of organs
- Nutrient absorption.
What are 3 different kinds of fats that exist?
- Saturated fats
- Unsaturated fats
- Trans fats.
What fats can the body not produce?
Essential fatty acids.
What are bad fats for us to consume?
Trans fats and excessive saturated fats.
What is cholesterol? Explain if it is good or bad.
Cholesterol is a waxy substance; it can be both good (HDL) and bad (LDL).
List at least 2 differences between the new and old food guidelines.
- Emphasis on whole foods in the new guidelines
- Updated serving sizes.
Why is it important to eat high protein foods?
High protein foods support muscle growth and repair.
What are 3 examples of whole grain foods?
- Brown rice
- Quinoa
- Whole wheat bread.
List 3 health issues that can be avoided by reducing sugar in our diet.
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart disease.
Why is it important to use food labels?
Food labels provide essential information about nutritional content.
What are 3 things you can do to create mindful eating habits?
- Eat slowly
- Pay attention to hunger cues
- Minimize distractions.
