1. The Role of Nutrients
Food For Today 2-1

2. The Six Main Nutrients Carbohydrates Fats Proteins Vitamins Minerals
Water

3. YOUR Energy Needs Nutrient Daily % of calories Carbohydrates 55%
The number of calories your body needs for energy depends on your activity level, age, weight and gender.
2800 calories for teen boys and active men
2200 calories for most children, teen girls, active women and inactive men
1600 for inactive women and older adults
Nutrient
Daily % of calories
Carbohydrates
55%
Protein
15%
Fat
30%

4. Energy Providing Nutrients
Carbohydrates – 4 calories/gram
Proteins – 4 calories/gram
Fats – 9 calories/gram
What is a calorie? Calorie – Unit of measure used to determine the amount of energy provided by a particular food.

5. Nutrient Functions Carbohydrates – The body’s main source of energy.
Fats – The most concentrated source of energy.
Proteins – Help build, repair and maintain body tissues.

6. Nutrient Functions cont.
Vitamins – Help regulate many vital body processes and aid other nutrients in doing their jobs.
Minerals – Help the body work properly and, in some cases, become part of the body tissues.
Water – It is a nutrient because it is essential to life. It makes up most of your body weight.

7. Benefits of Good Nutrition
Nutrients work together like a team….no nutrient can be substituted for another. Health suffers when one is missing.

8. Nutrition helps with: Growth, development and body processes. Fitness.
Job performance.
Appearance.
Prevent illness
Long-term health.

9. Serious Health Problems
Malnutrition – Getting too little or too much of a nutrient can cause malnutrition. Can be caused by poor diet or a medical condition.
Nutrient deficiency – Varying symptoms depending on nutrient. Examples are skin rashes, depression, hair loss, bleeding gums, and night blindness.

10. How Much Do You Need?
Scientists have developed a series of standards for assessing nutrient needs:
DRI’s – Dietary Reference Intakes
RDA’s – Recommended Dietary Allowances – these are the amounts needed by 98% of the people.
AI’s – approximate nutrient measures are set when there is a lack of scientific information.
Most are needed in relatively small amounts.