The Principles And Key Guidelines Of Nutrition Flashcards
Define nutrition.
Nutrition involves the delivery of essential materials to cells and organisms.
Define healthy eating.
‘Healthy’ eating involves eating food that promotes the optimal health of all body systems and prevents the development of disease.
Define balance diet.
A ‘balance’ diet involes regulating the quantities of the various food groups consumed.
Define diet.
Diet = the current eating pattern.
What are the three macronutrients?
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Fat (lipids)
What are the two micronutrients?
- Vitamins
- Minerals
What are the building blocks that make up proteins called?
Amino acids.
Give three functions of proteins within the body.
- Growth and development
- Repair cells and make new ones
- Produce amino acids
Why are some amino acids referred to as essential?
Because the body is unable to produce or synthesise them.
How many amino acids are considered essential?
9
Amino acids.
Name sources of protein.
- Turkey and chicken
- Lean cuts of beef or pork
- Fish or shellfish
- Various beans, nuts and seeds
- Tofu, tempeh and other soy protein products
- Low-fat dairy products
What are complete proteins?
Foods containing all nine essential amino acids in sufficient amounts necessary for the liver to synthesise the remaining non-essential amino acids.
What type of foods are sources of incomplete protein?
- Vegetables
- Cereals and grains
- Cereal products (bread, pasta)
- Pulses (beans, lentils, peas)
- Nuts
What are complementary proteins?
Combining two or more foods with incomplete proteins, to form complementary proteins, can provide adequate amounts of all the essential amino acids.
Protein requirement.
Activity type g of protein per kg
Sedentary adult 0.8g/kg
Recreational adult exerciser 0.8-1.5g/kg
Adult endurance athlete 1.2-1.6/kg
Growing teenage athlete 1.5-2.0/kg
Adult building muscle mass 1.5.1.7/kg
Estimated upper limits (adult) 2.0/kg
What molecules or units make up carbohydrates?
All carbohydrates are made of up molecules or units called saccharides.
These form three basic carbohydrate types:
- Simple carbohydrates
- Complex carbohydrates
- Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP)
What is the difference between a simple and a complex carbohydrate?
Simple carbohydrates have very basic structure and usually only contain one or two units of sugar, typically a combination of glucose, fructose and galactose whereas complex carbohydrates consist of many molecules or ‘units’ of glucose all joined together in long, complicated branched chains.
What are refined carbohydrates?
Refined carbohydrates contain excessive amounts of sugar (over 15g per 100g) and processed low-quality fats. Has high energy density, no vitamins or minerals and adversely affects insulin response.
What are unrefined carbohydrates?
Unrefined carbohydrates contain fructose and glucose in varying amounts, antioxidants and phytochemicals, high levels of dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals and traces of amino acids.
Polysaccharides make up which form of carbohydrate?
Complex carbohydrates.
What are the two types of fibre?
Soluble and insoluble.
What is the main function of fibre in the body?
Aids in the transport of food through the digestive tract.
What dose NSP refer to?
Fibre consists of non- starch polysaccharide (NSP) – indigestible plant material.
What is the glycaemic index (GI)?
The glycaemic index (GI) provides an indication of the relative speed with which a food is converted to glucose in and absorbed into the bloodstream.
Identify the functions of lipids.
Key functions of lipids:
- Formation of cell membranes.
- Formation of myelin sheath within the nervous system.
- Constitute a large majority of the CNS and spinal core.
- Synthesis of steroid hormones.
- Assist in the regulation of enzymes.
- Insulation through subcutaneous adipose tissue.
- Protection of internal organs.
- Transportation, storage and utilisation of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K
- Fuel source during low-intensity workloads.
- Storage of energy within the adipose tissue.
Describe the structure of a triglyceride.
Describe the structure of saturated fats.