323 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Section 13-1 Objectives After studying this section, you will be able to • explain the importance of choosing nutritious foods. • identify good food sources of various nutrients and describe how your body uses them. Key Terms Nutrients at Work for You nutrient nutrition carbohydrate protein amino acid fats saturated fats unsaturated fats cholesterol mineral vitamin fortified enriched Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) Pizza, milk, apples, and popcorn—these foods, and all the other foods you eat, provide nutrients for your body. Nutrients are chemical substances from food, which the body uses to function properly. After your body digests food, your bloodstream absorbs nutrients from the digestive tract and carries them to body cells. In the cells, nutrients help maintain and regulate body processes and promote growth. Nutrition is the science of how nutrients support the body. The nutrients that keep your body working properly are divided into six major classes: • carbohydrates • proteins • fats • minerals • vitamins • water Each of the nutrients performs special functions in the body. You get different nutrients from different foods. Therefore, you need to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need. By knowing the functions and sources of the nutrients, you will be able to make nutritious food choices. Serving Your Community Plan a schoolwide activity for collecting foods for a local food pantry. Before conducting the drive, research the concept of nutrient density and develop a list of nonperishable foods that are nutrient dense. Focus your drive on these types of foods.