Unit 2: Food and Nutrition PDF

UNIT 2. FOOD AND NUTRITION 1. Difference between eating and nutrition - Eating: is the voluntary process used to incorporate food into our body. - Nutrition: involuntary processes that allow us to extract nutrients from food so our cells can use them. 2. Types of nutrients - Carbohydrat...

UNIT 2. FOOD AND NUTRITION 1. Difference between eating and nutrition - Eating: is the voluntary process used to incorporate food into our body. - Nutrition: involuntary processes that allow us to extract nutrients from food so our cells can use them. 2. Types of nutrients - Carbohydrates: their main role is to give us energy. There are 2 main groups: o Simple carbohydrates or sugars: syuca as glucose or lactose. o Complex carbohydrates: the most important is starch. - Lipids: this group includes fats. Fats are molecules that store energy. They can be unsatured or satured: o Satured fats: are almost all of animal origin. o Unsatured fats: are almost always found in plants. - Proteins: they are formed when simple molecules (aminoacids), bond together. Proteins perform many tasks such as building and repairing structures and regulating metabolism. - Vitamins: they are essential for the proper functioning of our body, although we only need them in small quantities. - Minerals: minerals are inorganic substance that fulfil various functions: o Structural function: maintaining bones and teeth. o Regulatory function: controlling the correct functioning of nervous system and muscles. - Water: water is the most abundant molecule in our body. Is essential to carry out our own metabolic reactions. 3. Nutritional needs We need food to obtain nutrients that satisfy three types of needs: Energy needs: give energy to cells so they can perform their functions. Carbohydrates and fats meet these nutritional needs. Structural needs: responsible for the growth and maintenance of our body. Proteins, some lipids and minerals such as calcium meet these nutritional needs. Functional and regulatory needs: Regulate chemical reactions inside cells. Vitamins and minerals meet these nutritional needs. 3. Important concepts à Basal metabolism: this term refers to the quantity of energy that our body needs to carry out vital functions. This energy consumption occurs even when we’re resting or sleeping. à Calorific values: nutrients have different calorific values: o Fat: 9 kcal/g o Carbohydrate: 3,75 kcal/g o Protein: 4 kcal/g 4. Diet à Def.: the term diet refers to the quantity and type of food consumed daily by a person. Balanced diet: a balanced diet provides the necessary energy and structural nutrients in the right proportions. * Advice for a healthy diet: - It is important to eat a variety of foods. - Eat fresh vegetables. - Avoid processed foods and saturated fats. - Eat daily vegetables, fruits and pulses. 5. Food-related disorders à Pages 48-49 (we have explained it in class).