Unit 1 - Food Choices and Human Health Flashcards
Nutrition is the study of…
The nutrients in foods;
How nutrients are used in the body;
And human behaviours related to food
Define Health
The state of a human when it functions optimally without evidence of disease or abnormality
Define Diet
The foods and beverages a person usually eats and drinks
Define Food
Any substance that the body can take in and assimilate that will enable it to stay alive and healthy
What are some examples of chronic diseases?
Diabetes Heart disease Dental disease Adult bone loss Some types of cancer
Define Nutritional Genomics
The science of how nutrients affect the activities of genes and how genes affect the activity of nutrients
Define Nutrients
Components in food that are indispensable (or essential) to the functioning of the body
What are the roles of nutrients?
Provide energy and building material;
Help maintain or repair the body;
Support growth
What are the 6 classes of nutrients?
Carbohydrate Fat Protein Water Vitamins Minerals
What 2 groups are nutrients divided into?
Energy providing
Other nutrients or Non-energy containing
Which nutrient classes are energy providing?
Carbohydrate
Fat
Protein
Which nutrient classes do not contain energy?
Water
Vitamins
Minerals
Define Essential Nutrients
The nutrients that the body cannot make for itself from other raw materials
What are the 8 essential amino acids?
Threonine Valine Tryptophan Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Phenylalanine Methionine
What are the 2 essential fatty acids?
Linoleic acid
Linolenic acid
Which vitamins are essential?
A, D, E (fat soluble)
K (conditional)
All water soluble vitamins
Which minerals are essential?
All
Define Conditionally Essential Nutrients
Nutrients that the body cannot make enough of to meet the requirements for health
Give an example of a conditionally essential nutrient
The amino acid histidine during periods of growth
Define Non-essential Nutrients
Nutrients that the body can make for itself, so does not have to rely on food intake to get them
Example: some amino acids, some fatty acids
What is food energy measured in?
Calories
Cal/g = kcal/g
Carbohydrate (CHO) provide us with how much food energy?
4 Cal/g
How much food energy does fat (lipid) provide us with?
9 Cal/g
How much food energy does protein provide us with?
4 Cal/g
How much food energy does alcohol provide us with?
7 Cal/g
although alcohol provides energy, it is NOT a nutrient
What is food quantity measured in?
Grams
What are the 5 characteristics of a healthy diet?
Adequate - in essential nutrients, fibre, and energy
Balance - in nutrients and food types
Calorie Control - foods provide amount of energy to maintain healthy body weight
Moderation - in fat, salt, sugar, and other unwanted constituents
Variety - choose different foods each day
What factors play a role in the foods we choose?
Availability, cost, convenience; Emotional, social, cultural factors; Media advertising; Habit, positive association; Weight, nutritional value
What 3 dietary guides were used in this course?
Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide (CFG);
Nutrition Recommendations for Canadians;
Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI)
Define Nutrient Density
A measure of nutrients provided per calorie of food
What are the 4 common research designs used in nutrition research?
Case studies - individuals
Epidemiological study - populations
Intervention study - populations with manipulation
Laboratory study - tightly controlled conditions
