The 6 Essential Nutrients NUTRITION UNIT #5 Ms. Knise

Our bodies need to remove substances from our food in order to help our bodies grow, have energy, and stay healthy…. These substances are called NUTRIENTS

What are the 6 essential nutrients?

CARBOHYDRATES SIMPLE: COMPLEX: Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy!! SIMPLE: COMPLEX: SUGARS STARCHES FIBER

FATS Fat is an important part of your diet! It is used to help keep you healthy by: - building cell membranes - carrying vitamins - giving you energy - promoting normal growth

Types of Fat SATURATED: UNSATURATED: usually solid at room usually liquid at room temperature temperature

CHOLESTEROL = GOOD = BAD - A waxy, fat like substance produced by the body that is used to build cells and make other substances. = GOOD = BAD

Building and repairing cells PROTEINS Used for Energy Building and repairing cells . . . . . . . . . Made up of amino acids essential amino acids: our body can not make them so we must get them through our food.

Types of Proteins COMPLETE: contain all the essential or necessary amino acids that our body needs. INCOMPLETE: is missing one or more of the essential amino acids that our body needs. +

VITAMINS Vitamins are compounds that help to regulate body processes (jobs). - fight disease - provide energy

MINERALS Minerals are substances the body uses to form healthy bones and teeth, keep blood healthy, and keep the heart and other organs working properly.

WATER Essential to ALL body functions Carries nutrients Regulates temperature Helps with digestion and absorption

Guidelines for Good Nutrition Eat a variety of foods every day Avoid foods that are high in sugar and salt Match how active you are with the amount of food you eat