Nutrition and Metabolism Overview

What is the primary use of most nutrients ingested by the body?

How much energy does one gram of carbohydrates and proteins provide?

Which of the following carbohydrates is not derived from plants?

What does the term 'calorie' refer to in nutritional contexts?

What type of dietary recommendations do most organizations emphasize?

Which nutrient type has the highest energy value per gram?

What is meant by 'essential' nutrients?

Which nutrient is not considered vital for normal functioning?

Nutrition, Metabolism, and Energy Balance

The saying "you are what you eat" is true in that part of the food we eat is converted into our living flesh - Our bodies use nutrients for cell structure, replacement, and synthesizing functional molecules.
Most ingested nutrients are consumed for metabolic fuel - Nutrients are oxidized and converted to ATP, the chemical energy used by cells.
Essential nutrients are equally vital to nonessential nutrients - These chemicals must be obtained from outside sources.
A balanced diet is important to obtain all the nutrients needed - This typically means eating a variety of foods from different groups.
Kilocalories (kcal) is used to measure energy value of food - One kcal raises the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1 degree Celsius.
Carbohydrates and proteins have 4 kcal per gram while lipids have 9 kcal per gram - This determines the different energetic values of foods.

Carbohydrates

All carbohydrates we ingest are derived from plants except lactose and small amounts of glycogen in meat - They are typically found in fruits, sugarcane, sugar beets, honey, and grains.

Explore the fundamental concepts of nutrition and metabolism. This quiz covers essential nutrients, energy balance, and the importance of a balanced diet for maintaining health. Test your knowledge about the caloric values of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.