Introduction to Food and Nutrition By Mr. S. Williams
What is Food and Nutrition? Food and Nutrition is the study of the science of food and how the body utilizes food. Food and Nutrition is the study of the science of food and how the body utilizes food.
What is food? Food is any edible substance (solid or liquid, hot or cold, cooked or uncooked) which when taken in the body (ingested) provides it with the necessary nutrients in order for it to function effectively. Food is any edible substance (solid or liquid, hot or cold, cooked or uncooked) which when taken in the body (ingested) provides it with the necessary nutrients in order for it to function effectively.
What is nutrition? Nutrition is the study of food and how the body utilizes the food. Nutrition is the study of food and how the body utilizes the food.
What are Nutrients? Nutrients are chemical substances found in food. Nutrients are chemical substances found in food.
Importance of food to the body Food is needed for: Food is needed for: Maintaining the normal processes for living Maintaining the normal processes for living Growth, increase in weight Growth, increase in weight High performance High performance Replacement of damaged and worn out parts Replacement of damaged and worn out parts Proper functioning of the body Proper functioning of the body
Food Groups Food Groups There are six food groups found in the Caribbean. There are six food groups found in the Caribbean. All the people in the Caribbean can use this group to plan healthy meals. All the people in the Caribbean can use this group to plan healthy meals. These groups are: staples, food from animal, fats/oils, legumes/nuts, fruits, vegetables These groups are: staples, food from animal, fats/oils, legumes/nuts, fruits, vegetables
Cereals: Bread (from whole grain or enriched flour), wheat flour, corn (maize), cornmeal, dried cereals, macaroni, spaghetti, rice, cereal porridges. Starchy fruits, roots, tubers/ground provisions: Banana, plantain, breadfruit, yam, potato, dasheen, coco/ eddoe, cassava.
Kidney beans, gungo/pigeon peas, black-eye peas, cow peas, other dried peas and beans, peanuts, cashew nuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds.
Dark green leafy and yellow vegetables: Callaloo/spinach, dasheen leaves, cabbage bush, pak choy, string beans, pumpkin, carrot. Other vegetables: Squash, cho-cho, (christophene, chayote), cucumber, tomato, garden egg/aubergine Squash, cho-cho, (christophene, chayote), cucumber, tomato, garden egg/aubergine
Mango, guava, citrus (orange, grapefruit, limes, tangerine), pineapple, West Indian cherry, pawpaw/papaya, golden apple/Jew/June plum, sugar apple/sweet sop.
. Meat, poultry, fish (fresh, canned, pickled, dried), milk, cheese, yoghurt, egg, liver, heart, kidney, tripe (offal), trotters, feet, tail, head
Cooking and salad oils, butter, margarine, shortening, ghee, coconut cream/milk, meat fat, nuts, avocado pear, Jamaican ackee.
Important Food Terminology Fibre: A substance which is not a nutrient but it is important for health. It is also called Cellulose or roughage Fibre: A substance which is not a nutrient but it is important for health. It is also called Cellulose or roughage Balance Diet: A balance diet is the habit of eating food which supplies all the essential nutrients in the correct proportion for the needs of the body at a particular time Balance Diet: A balance diet is the habit of eating food which supplies all the essential nutrients in the correct proportion for the needs of the body at a particular time
Important Food Terminology Recommended Dietary Allowance Recommended Dietary Allowance ( RDA’s) – RDA’s include the daily amounts of energy and nutrients that are needed for most persons. ( RDA’s) – RDA’s include the daily amounts of energy and nutrients that are needed for most persons. Nutritional status: refers to one’s personal health condition which reflects the need for nutrients and the use of them. Nutritional status: refers to one’s personal health condition which reflects the need for nutrients and the use of them.
Nutritional Assessment A person’s nutritional status may be determined by conducting a nutritional assessment of the individual. A person’s nutritional status may be determined by conducting a nutritional assessment of the individual. The acronym ABCD is used to identify these methods The acronym ABCD is used to identify these methods
Anthropometry The measurement of height, weight and other areas of the body The measurement of height, weight and other areas of the body For example: For example: Weight divided by height Weight divided by height
Biochemical Refers to laboratory tests on blood, urine and other body fluids. Refers to laboratory tests on blood, urine and other body fluids. For example: For example: Blood test for Diabetes Blood test for Diabetes Urine test for pregnancy Urine test for pregnancy
Clinical An assessment done by a doctor who examines you and explores your family medical traits. An assessment done by a doctor who examines you and explores your family medical traits. For example: A family history of Breast Cancer. For example: A family history of Breast Cancer.
Dietary An assessment done by a nutritionist or a dietician. It is a careful check of what a person eats, supplements taken, allergies or family history of nutrition related health conditions An assessment done by a nutritionist or a dietician. It is a careful check of what a person eats, supplements taken, allergies or family history of nutrition related health conditions For example: Family history of anaemia. For example: Family history of anaemia.
Indicators of good nutrition Firm muscles Firm muscles smooth clear skin smooth clear skin Good vision Good vision Clean mouth and strong teeth Clean mouth and strong teeth Pink gums Pink gums Strong white teeth Strong white teeth
Indicators of Poor Nutrition Poor eyesight Poor eyesight Obesity Obesity Constipation Constipation Decayed teeth Decayed teeth