Think about what you ate today. What was for breakfast? What was for lunch?
Everything you ate had nutrients in it. We can break nutrients up into the following:
Carbohydrates, Lipids, Proteins, Vitamins, Minerals and Water.
Fibre is also very important in the digestive system. Although it isn’t a nutrient it is important for a healthy diet.
Carbohydrates provide the body with a quick source of energy.
They are found in sugary and starchy foods like sugar, fruit, pasta, bread and rice.
Unlike sugary foods, starchy food break down slowly and release energy slowly.
Lipids, like fats and oils have 3 main jobs.
Store energy. In fact a for every 1 gram of fat there are 37 calories, while in 1 gram of carbohydrates there is only 17 calories.
Provide insulation. Babies often have a lot of fat on them to keep them warm. A lot of aquatic animals who live in cold climates require fat
Protect organs. Wrapped around vital organs is fat. This acts a shock absorber and provides energy to the organs.
Protein is needed for repair. Without the right amount of protein you couldn’t grow and repair your cells.
Your organs, immune system and muscles are mostly made up of protein.
Vitamins and minerals.
These are essential substances for keeping you alive and healthy, but you only need them in never small amounts.
Vitamins A → eyesight and skin, Vitamin D & Calcium →Teeth and bones Vitamin B1 → Nerve function Vitamin C → Immune system and Iron absorption.
Water is a necessity for life. Your body can only survive an average of 3 days without water before you die.
In fact your cells at 70% water. As you sweat, cry, urinate, exhale and excrete you lose water.
It is recommended that you eat an average of 1 -2 litres of water a day.
Lastly Fibre. Although this isn’t a nutrient it is a type of carbohydrate.
However, it is an extremely important part of your digestive system. It is indigestible waste, which helps push the food through the digestive system.
Questions
Quick Questions
1. Define Nutrients
2. What are the different types of nutrients
3. What are 3 uses of lipids.
4. Why are proteins important in a balanced diet?
Quick Questions
1. What are vitamins and Minerals
2. Research and find 3 vitamins or minerals not mentioned above and explain their use in the body.
Short Answer Questions
1. Define the following terms
a. Carbohydrate
b. Lipids
c. Protein
d. Vitamin/Mineral
e. Water
f. Fibre
2. Explain what is meant by a balanced diet and provide examples of what a balanced diet should contain.
3. Which contains more energy 23 grams of lipids or 44 grams of carbohydrates?
Extension
4. Think of 3 different types of breakfasts (They can be cereals, toast, eggs, bacon, milk or anything you may eat for breakfast).
a. Record their Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats and possible Vitamins/Minerals in the table bellow.
b. Once you have done that, using your knowledge of nutrition, decide and explain which is the best breakfast for a:
i. weight lifter,
ii. Marathon runner
iii. You
5. E numbers are additives that include colours, preservatives, antioxidants, and thickeners. Suggest some advantages and disadvantages of using E numbers in foods.
