Nutrition Basics: Balanced Diet Essentials

Carbohydrates

• Provide the body with energy.

Nutrient Needs During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Increased needs due to growth and development of the fetus or infant.

Insulation and Organ Protection

• Fats are primarily used for insulation and organ protection.

Vitamin D

• Crucial for calcium absorption and bone health.

Protein Sources

• Foods like meat, fish, beans, and dairy products are primary sources of protein.

Protein Function

• Essential for building and repairing tissues.

Individual Nutrient Needs

• Age, sex, activity level, and health conditions can influence individual nutrient needs.

Vitamin C

• Crucial for the synthesis of proteins needed for connective tissues, including collagen.

Calcium

• Primary role is strengthening bones and teeth.

Iron Deficiency

• Fatigue and weakness are common symptoms.

High-Fiber Foods

• Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are good sources of fiber.

Body Temperature Regulation

• Fats help maintain a constant body temperature.

Vitamin C Deficiency

• Can lead to scurvy, a condition causing fatigue, weakness, and bleeding gums.

Physical Digestion

• Involves breaking down food into smaller pieces through chewing and churning.

Haemoglobin Formation

• Iron is essential for the proper formation of haemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood.

Enzyme Function in Digestion

• Enzymes speed up chemical reactions, breaking down food molecules into smaller units.

Small Intestine Function

• Primary site for nutrient absorption.

Starch Breakdown in the Mouth

• Salivary amylase, an enzyme present in saliva, breaks down starch in the mouth.

Hydrochloric Acid in the Stomach

• Activates pepsin, an enzyme responsible for protein breakdown, and kills harmful bacteria.

Physical Digestion in the Mouth

• Chewing and grinding food by teeth are the primary forms of physical digestion in the mouth.

Bile's Role in Digestion

• Emulsifies fats into smaller droplets, increasing their surface area for digestion by enzymes.

Water and Salt Absorption

• Most water and salt absorption occurs in the large intestine.

Gallbladder Function

• Stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine when needed.

Pancreas Role in Digestion

• Secretes enzymes like lipase, protease, and amylase to further break down food molecules.

Amylase Function

• Breaks down starch into simpler sugars.

Stomach Enzyme

• Pepsin, a protease, works optimally in the acidic environment of the stomach.

Bile's Role in Digestion

• Emulsifies fats, increasing their surface area for digestion by enzymes.

Surface Area Increase in Small Intestine

• Villi and microvilli in the small intestine increase the surface area for absorption.

Enzyme Function Outside Optimal pH Range

• Enzymes can become inactive and lose their function outside their optimal pH range.

Protease Function in Digestion

• Proteases like trypsin break down proteins into smaller peptides.

Lipase Secretion

• Lipase is primarily secreted by the pancreas for its digestive function.

Nutrient Absorption in Small Intestine

• Most nutrient absorption takes place in the small intestine.

Physical Digestion Purpose

• To break down food into smaller pieces for easier chemical digestion.

Chemical Digestion Location

• Mainly occurs in the stomach and small intestine.

Incisor and Canine Role in Digestion

• Incisors cut food, and canines tear it, initiating physical digestion.

Bile's Function in Digestion

• Emulsifies fats, increasing their surface area for lipase action

Egestion Result

• Elimination of undigested food materials from the body as feces.

Tooth Protection

• Enamel, the outermost layer of a tooth, protects the softer inner tissues.

Absorption in Digestion

• The movement of nutrients from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

Stomach's Contribution to Physical Digestion

• Churning and mixing of food by muscle contractions contribute to physical digestion in the stomach.

Test your knowledge on the fundamental components of a balanced diet, including the roles of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. This quiz covers essential nutrients and their significance in human health and growth. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand the importance of diet in maintaining overall well-being.