Nutrients

Proteins  What do they do?  Build, maintain, and replace the tissue in your body.  Makes up most of your muscles, your organs, and your immune system.  Makes hemoglobin (hee-muh-glow-bin)  The red part of blood that carries oxygen!

 Amino Acids  Digestive juices break down protein into amino acids  These are reused to make the proteins your body needs for healthy muscles, bones, blood, and organs.  A variety of Proteins  Complete proteins come from meat and milk  Incomplete proteins come from vegetables (but a variety of different veggies can make it complete!) Examples of Protein: Beef, Chicken, Fish, Eggs, Cheese, most Beans, & Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews, Pecans and other nuts!

Carbohydrates  These are the major source of energy for the body (everyone needs them!)  Two Types of Carbohydrates  Simple carbohydrates (“Simple Sugars”)  White sugar is found in some nutritious foods like fruit and milk, but also in candy which have sugar added to them and do not have important nutrients. Make sure to get your simple sugars from natural food!  Complex carbohydrates: (“Starches”)  Bread, crackers, pasta, and rice. Some are better than others. White flour and white rice, have been processed, which removes nutrients and fiber. Unrefined grains are rich in fiber, which helps your digestive system work well. Examples of Carbohydrates: Raw or lightly cooked vegetables, fresh fruit, beans legumes &nuts, & whole grains.

Fats  3 Types of Fats:  Saturated  Unsaturated  Trans-Fat

Saturated Fats  Found in animal products  Found in dairy products like milk & ice cream  Solid at room temperature  Increases Cholesterol and chance of a heart attack

Unsaturated Fats  Found in oily products like Olive oil  Found in Fish, Avocados & Nuts  Liquid at room temperature  Healthier than other types of fats (but still should be used in moderation)

Trans-Fats  Found mostly in processed foods  Chips & Fast food (McDonalds)  The worst kind of fat for you, increases the chance for heart disease & increases cholesterol.

Vitamins  Serve many different roles for the body  2 very important Vitamins:  Vitamin A: helps form and maintain healthy skin, teeth and vision. Found in carrots, eggs & fish  Vitamin C: helps strengthen the immune system. Found in citrus and other fruits and veggies.

Minerals  Helps to keep the body running properly  Found in the soil and in water  Your body can get them from plants and animal sources.  There are many, but 2 very important ones are:  Calcium-keeps your bones strong!  Iron- good for your blood!

Water  Everyone needs water!  Water makes up more than ½ of your body weight  Why do we need water?  It is a part of blood which carries oxygen  It is a part of lymph (in your immune system) that helps fight off sickness  It helps to digest your food  It helps to get rid of waste  It allows us to sweat

What are in these foods?