Unit 3 You and Food
200
Nutrition
is the study of how your body uses food and the effects
food has on it.
Nutrients
are the chemicals and other substances from
foods needed for the body to function. Your body needs nutrients to grow,
develop, and be healthy. Nutrients are used by your body to provide for
growth and repair. They also furnish energy and regulate body processes.
A
diet
is the food and beverages consumed each day. Your diet
affects how you perform in school, in sports, and at social activities.
Your diet provides the nutrients your body needs. Learning is hard
work. A diet high in nutrients can give you the energy for learning, as
well as physical activities.
The Nutrients
There are six types of nutrients. They are proteins, carbohydrates, fats,
vitamins, minerals, and water. You can get the nutrients you need by eating
many kinds of foods. See 7-1.
Proteins can be found in both meat and meat substitutes. They give
your body energy. They also help your body grow and repair body tissues,
such as hair, skin, muscles, and nerves. Your heart, liver, lungs, and brain
also need protein to function and stay in good shape. People of all ages
need protein in their diets.
Carbohydrates provide energy. Starch, sugar, and fiber are the three
kinds of carbohydrates. They can be found in breads and cereals, fruits and
vegetables, and products containing sugar.
Fats add flavor to food and help satisfy your hunger. You need some
foods containing fat in a healthful diet.
Saturated fat
is a fat that is solid at
room temperature.
Trans fat
is a type of fat found in vegetable shortening,
some margarine, baked goods, and many processed foods.
Cholesterol
is a
fatty substance found in foods from animal sources, such as meat and eggs.
Many people eat too much fat for their body frames. This can lead to health
problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Vitamins are used by your body for the growth and repair of tissues.
Fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A and D, are stored in your body.
You can eat foods rich in these every other day and still get the amount you
need. Most water-soluble vitamins, such as
vitamin C, are not stored in your body. You
need to eat foods rich in these every day.
Minerals help regulate body
processes. Two important minerals are
calcium and iron. Calcium is needed to
build strong bones and teeth. Iron helps
blood cells function.
Water is a very important nutrient.
Your body can survive only a few days
without water. It carries the other nutrients
to every cell in your body and then carries
away the waste.
Reading Food Labels
Get into the habit of reading the
nutrition facts on your food’s packaging.
Check the levels of those nutrients it is
best to limit. It is also helpful to know the
specific ingredients in your food before
you eat.
Reading Link