1. The Six Nutrients

2. Nutrition is the study of nutrients and how the body uses them.
What is nutrition?
Nutrition is the study of nutrients and how the body uses them.
Nutrients: a basic component of food that nourishes the body

3. What are the six nutrients?
The six nutrients include:
Carbohydrates
Proteins
Fats
Vitamins
Minerals
Water

4. The body’s main source of energy. What foods contain carbohydrates?
Cereals, pasta, fruits, vegetables, and many more!
There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex.

5. Simple Carbohydrates Simple carbohydrates are quick energy sources
Usually found in sugars
The types of sugars include:
Sucrose : also known as table sugar
Fructose : occurs in fruits
Glucose : sometimes known as blood sugar
Maltose : found in grains
Lactose : commonly known as milk sugar

6. Complex Carbohydrates
Complex carbohydrates are considered more healthy than simple carbohydrates
The two types of complex carbohydrates are starch and fiber.
Starch: supplies the body with long, sustained energy
Dietary fiber: does not break down completely in the body = essential for regulating the body

7. Proteins Proteins have multiple functions:
Build and repair body tissue
Maintain cell growth
Provides energy
Proteins are made up of amino acids (there are 9 essential amino acids)
What foods contain proteins?
Animal sources are the best sources of protein

8. Complete vs. Incomplete Proteins
Complete proteins have all 9 essential amino acids.
Mainly found in animal sources (meat, milk, eggs, etc.)
Incomplete proteins do not have all 9 essential amino acids
Found in nuts, beans, peas, etc.
Must be paired with another incomplete protein (or complete protein) in order to get the 9 essential amino acids

9. Fats also provide the body with energy.
Too much fat can result in weight gain.
Fats have double the amount of calories than carbohydrates and proteins

10. Vitamins have many different functions.
Vitamins are separated into two groups: fat- soluble and water-soluble.

11. Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins: absorbed and stored in fat
Vitamins A, D, E and K
Water-soluble vitamins: dissolved in water and transported throughout the body
All other vitamins

12. Minerals
Minerals, like vitamins, have many different functions.
Two types:
Macrominerals: calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iodine
Trace minerals: iron, zinc, fluorine and copper

13. Water is the most important of all of the 6 essential nutrients
Human life cannot be sustained without water.