This document discusses nutrition and digestion. It outlines the six major nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. Proteins are made of amino acids and are used for growth, repair, and muscle formation. Carbohydrates include sugars, starches, and fiber, and are the main source of energy. Fats provide energy and help absorb vitamins. Vitamins and minerals are needed in small amounts to regulate body functions. Water is the most important nutrient and the body needs to replace water lost each day. A balanced diet with foods from the five major food groups is needed to get all nutrients.

1. NUTRITION
AND
DIGESTION

2. • Nutrients are substances found in foods that
provide energy and materials for cell development,
growth, and repair.
• The amount of energy available in food is measured
in calories

3. • There are 6 kinds of nutrients:
– Proteins
– Carbohydrates
– Fats
– Vitamins
– Minerals
– Water

4. • Proteins are large molecules that contain carbon,
hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. They are made
up of amino acids.
• Amino acids are the building blocks of protein
– Essential amino acids cannot be made by the
body’s cells, and must be supplied by the food
you eat
• Protein is used for growth and repair of body cells
and helps to form muscle, skin and hair

6. • Carbohydrates are the main source of energy in
the body
• All carbohydrates are not the same

7. * There are three types of carbohydrates: sugar,
starch and fiber
- Sugars are simple carbohydrates
- Found in table sugar, fruits, honey, milk…
- Simple carbohydrates are digested and
absorbed quickly

8. • Starches and fiber are complex carbohydrates
• Complex carbohydrates are absorbed more
slowly; they help maintain healthy blood sugar
levels facilitate steady, long-lasting bouts of
energy

9. • Starches are made up of many simple sugars in
long chains
– Pasta, potatoes, rice, white breads…

10. • Fiber is found in the cell walls of plant cells
• Fiber cannot be digested.
It is needed to keep your
digestive system healthy
- Fiber is found in
whole grain breads and
cereals, beans, vegetables
and fruits

12. • Fats or lipids are necessary nutrients because
they provide energy and help your body absorb
vitamins
– Fat tissue cushions your internal organs
– Fat is a storage unit for energy; it can release
twice as much energy as carbs
– Excess energy from all foods you eat is
converted to fat and stored for later use.

13. • Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature
– Vegetable oils, avocado, the fats in nuts and
seeds

14. • Saturated fats are solid at room temperature
– Animal products such
as meat and milk are
sources of saturated fat
– Saturated fats are associated with high levels of
cholesterol in the blood
• Cholesterol can block blood supply to organs
and increase blood pressure. This can lead to
heart disease and stroke

17. • Vitamins are organic nutrients needed in small
amounts for growth, regulating body functions, and
preventing diseases.
• Most foods provide some
vitamins, but no one food has
them all
* Organic means that they are derived from living
matter

18. • Minerals are inorganic nutrients that regulate
chemical reactions in the body
• Your body uses about 14 different minerals
• The minerals used in largest amounts are calcium
and phosphorus
• Other minerals include potassium, iron, and
sodium

20. • Water is the most important
nutrient for survival
• The human body as about 60 percent water
– Your cells need water to carry out their
functions

21. • Your body loses water through breathing, sweat,
and excretion
• Water needs to be replaced every day
• Water is not only found in liquids but also in many
foods

22. • Because no food has every nutrient, you need to
eat a variety of foods to maintain optimum health.
• A food group is a collection of foods that contain
the same type of nutrient
• There are five food groups:
– Bread/cereal
– Vegetables
– Fruit
– Dairy
– Meat/beans