Nutrition (Day 2)

Bell Ringer (Day 2) Read page 262 in your health book and answer the following questions: –Why should you drink water when you are sick? –What are 6 signs of dehydration? –What are 5 ways to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day?

Nutrients A nutrient is a substance in food that helps with the body processes, helps with growth and repair of cells, and provides energy. Energy is measured in calories. A Calorie is a unit of energy produced by food and used by the body. The nutrients include proteins, fat, carbohydrates, water, vitamins and minerals. These nutrients are chemical substances which are present in the food we eat daily.

Proteins Proteins are the building blocks that grow and repair your body. Proteins are needed not only for muscle but also for hair, skin and internal organs. Some proteins travel around your body in the blood as hormones, enzymes and red blood cells. Protein is unique because it is the only food source of nitrogen, which is essential to all plant and animal life.

Protein Proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. For each protein, there are specific amino acids in a specific amount, and they are joined in a unique order. There are 22 amino acids. Eight of these are called the essential amino acids because they cannot be made by the body and must be provided by the diet. Each gram of protein provides four calories of energy.

Two Kinds of Proteins Complete- a protein that contains all the essential amino acids. –Ex: meat, fish, poultry, milk and eggs. Incomplete- protein from plant sources that does not contain all the essential amino acids. –Ex: grains, legumes(beans, peas) and nuts/seeds

What do Proteins do? Antibodies, which are made of protein, help you resist disease and infection. Each day, your body loses protein in the form of hair, skin and nails. You also use up protein in all the activities of running and maintaining your body. If you eat protein daily, it is supplied to your body tissue to replenish any loss and repair any injury.

What do Proteins do? For growing infants, children and teens, protein, along with sufficient calories, is necessary for growth of the entire body. Pregnant and breast-feeding women need adequate protein for the fetus, for supporting maternal tissue, and for the production of breast milk after delivery. If you have a cut, undergo surgery, or have an injury or illness, you need protein to recover and to rebuild your body.

Carbohydrates  Carbohydrates are sugar compounds made by plants when the plants are exposed to light. This process is called photosynthesis.  Ex: Sugars, starches and fiber  Each gram of carbohydrate provides four calories of energy.  Your body can store only limited amounts of carbohydrates.  Excess carbohydrates are stored as fat.

Two types of Carbohydrates Simple: –These are sugars that enter the bloodstream rapidly and provide quick energy. –These carbohydrates provide calories, but few vitamins and minerals –Ex: fruits, honey, milk, candy and soda

Two types of Carbohydrates Complex: –Starches and Fiber –Most calories in your diet come from complex carbohydrates –Ex: bread, pasta, potatoes and beans

Starches vs. Fibers Starch: a food substance that is made and stored in plants. –This is long lasting energy. Fiber: the part of grains and plant foods that cannot be digested.

Uses of Carbohydrates It protects your muscles. It regulates the amount of sugar circulating in your body. It provides nutrients for friendly bacteria in intestinal tract that helps in digestion. It assist in body's absorption of calcium. It helps in lowering cholesterol level and regulate blood pressure.

Glycogen vs. Glucose When you eat complex carbohydrates, they are changed by saliva and other digestive juices to a simple sugar called glucose. Some glucose is used by cells to provide heat and energy. The remaining glucose is changed to glycogen, and stored in muscles. When energy is needed, glycogen is converted into glucose.