Nutrients, Macronutrients and Micronutrients

• Food is the source of nutrients and energy for the body.
• Food usually comes from animals or plants.
• Food is taken into the body and broken down to provide the nutrients needed.
• Food intake serves three main purposes:
• Providing energy for cells to function.
• Providing raw materials for growth, repair, and replacement of cells.
• Providing resources to fight disease and maintain a healthy body.
• Macronutrients are needed in large amounts, these include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• Micronutrients are needed in small amounts but are equally important in your diet, these include minerals and vitamins.
• Water is also needed.

Carbohydrates

• Carbohydrates provide energy.
• Carbohydrates break down into glucose, which is used in cellular respiration to produce energy.
• The body stores very little carbohydrate apart from glycogen, found in the liver, muscles, and brain.
• Excess carbohydrate is converted to fat and stored.
• Sugars and starches are the most commonly known carbohydrates.
• Sucrose is an important product of many African countries.
• Glucose is made by plants in photosynthesis and is vital for energy in cells and is an energy supplier in sports and health drinks.
• Starch is a storage carbohydrate in plants, and its commonly found in teff and potatoes.
• Carbohydrate-rich foods include things like injera, fatira and honey, potatoes, rice and dabo as well as anything else containing sugar or flour.
• Carbohydrates are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
• Carbohydrates fall into three main types, depending on the complexity of the molecules: simple sugars, double sugars and complex sugars.