Principles of Nutrition Flashcards
What are macronutrients?
Nutrients that are needed in large amounts.
What are micronutrients?
Nutrients that are needed in small amounts.
Examples of macronutrients?
Proteins
Carbohydrates
Fats
Examples of micronutrients?
Vitamins
Minerals
Trace elements
What are proteins made up of?
Amino acids
What are the two types of amino acids?
Essential (must be eaten)
Non-essential (our bodies can make them)
What do we need proteins for?
Growth (nails, hair and muscle mass)
Repair (muscles, tissues and organs after illness)
Maintenance (to make enzymes for digestion and antibodies to stop us getting ill)
What foods do we get protein from?
Meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, seeds and beans
What are High Biological Value proteins?
HBV proteins contain all of the essential amino acids.
They are mainly found in animal sources e.g. meat, fish, cheese.
However, soya beans and quinoa are plant based HBV protein foods.
What are Low Biological Value proteins?
LBV proteins are proteins that are missing one or more of the essential amino acids that we need.
They are only found in MOST plant sources e.g. peas, lentils, nuts seeds.
Soy beans and quinoa are the only exception.
For adults, what are 2 of the 8 amino acids that has to be provided in the diet?
Phenylalanine and Valine
For children, what are 2 other amino acids that are considered essential?
Proline and Tyrosine
How much protein does an average adult (19-50) need?
An average male should consume 55g and an average female should consume 45g.
What does the amount of protein depend on?
Weight, Age and Health
What does the Reference Nutrient Intake (RNI) say for protein intake?
The most effective way to reach the daily protein requirement is to eat small amount of proteins with every meal.
What can protein deficiency cause?
Wasting and shrinkage of muscle tissue.
Slow growth (children).
Anaemia
Oedema
Kwashiorkor (enlarged tummy, failure to grow, brittle hair)
What are complementary proteins? (Example)
When you combine two or more LBV proteins so that you could get most of the essential amino acids that are needed.
(Cereals and legumes)
(Baked beans on toast)
(Dhal with rice)
(Hummus with pitta bread)
Why do we need carbohydrates?
Energy.
What are the main two types of carbohydrates?
Sugar
Starch
Where is sugar (e.g. glucose and fructose) found?
It can be found NATURALLY (e.g. fruits and vegetables) or it can be added to food during the manufacturing process (cakes and sweets).
What are added sugars (‘empty calories’)?
They have no nutritional benefit other than energy.
Where can starch be found?
Potatoes, bread, pasta, rice and cereals.
Fruits and vegetables (in smaller amounts).
What nutrients are found in starch?
B vitamins, iron and calcium.
Wholegrain starch have high fibre content.
What is sugar and starch broken down into?
It is broken down into glucose which is absorbed by the bloodstream and used for energy.
What are simple carbohydrates?
Carbo that the body rapidly digests –> blood sugar levels rise quickly –> short burst of energy
What are MONOsaccharides?
They are most basic sugar molecules (e.g. glucose and fructose).
What are DIsaccharides?
Made up of TWO monosaccharides (e.g. sucrose = glucose + fructose).
What are complex carbohydrates?
They take a lot longer to digest –> gradually increase blood sugar levels –> slow, steady release of energy.
What is the Glycaemic Index?
GI rates carbohydrates on how quickly they affect blood sugar levels``.
What are High GI foods?
High GI foods are digested quickly and cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels.
(white bread/pasta/rice, cornflakes and watermelon).
What are Low GI foods?
Low GI foods are digested slowly and cause a gradual rise in blood sugar levels.
Wholeweat bread/pasta, brown rice, peaches and porridge.
How is GI helpful?
It helps people with diabetes as it allows them to choose low GI carbohydrate so they can avoid surges in blood sugar levels.
How much of our energy should come from carbohydrates?
50%
Where should most of our energy come from?
It should come from starchy foods and natural sugars found in bread, pasta, fruit and veg.