CARBOHYDRATE, FATS AND PROTEINS
I. Nutrients:
- Nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, are
essential for maintaining health and providing energy for the body.
- They have specific roles for our overall well-being.
Healthy Source
of Six Essential
Nutrients
II. Food group:
The five main categories of food are fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and
minerals. Each plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy diet.
1. Fats:
- Fats and oils provide energy and aid in vitamin absorption. Fats and oils are
very similar but at normal temperature, fats are solid and oils are liquid
- Healthy fats, such as those found in nuts and avocados, are preferable to unhealthy
fats found in fried foods.
- Fats are also needed for cell membranes.
2. Carbonhydrate:
- Exist in many different types of food such as bread, potatoes, beans,… which
contain a lot of starch (a type of carbohydrate)
- Carbohydrates act as a quick source of energy. Whole grains, fruits, and
vegetables are excellent sources, while excess sugary or processed carbs can
lead to weight gain and health issues.
- Starch is a complex carbohydrate, made from lots of glucose molecules joined
together. It has to be digested first before the body can use it.
3. Proteins:
- Proteins are critical for growth, muscle repair, and a strong immune system.
Foods like meat, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts are rich sources of protein.
4. Vitamins:
- Vitamins protect against illness and support various bodily functions.
- Vitamin A is crucial for vision. Provide vitamin A by eating green vegetables,
carrots and squash (pumpkin),fruit, foods made from milk (such as cheese) and some
kind of fish
- Vitamin C boosts the immune system and provides healthy gums and teeth.
Get vitamin C by eating fresh fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruit are particularly rich in
vitamin C. Potatoes and colorful berries are also good sources of vitamin C
- Vitamin D aids in calcium absorption for strong bones. Oily fish is probably the
best source of vitamin D
5. Minerals:
- Iron carries oxygen in our blood and is needed for haemoglobin => Dairy foods
and some seeds and nuts are great sources of calcium
- Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth => Red meat, dark green
vegetables and certain shellfish are great sources of iron
- Without enough iron, people can develop anaemia, where they feel very tired
due to not enough oxygen being transported in the body.
6. Water:
- Water is essential for hydration, regulating body temperature, and aiding bodily
functions by dissolving essential substances for transport.
- Insufficient water intake can lead to tiredness and sluggishness
7. Quick review:
- Question 1: Name two sources of healthy fats important for the body?
- Question 2: Which vitamin is important for good vision?
- Question 3: Which mineral is provided when eating red meat?
- Question 4: What is the result of a diet lacking iron?
A. Bleeding gums
B. Poor wound healing
C. Reduce number of red blood cells
D. Weak bones and teeths
- Question 5: Which type of food is not digested before absorbed by the body?
A. Fats
B. Carbonhydrate
C. Water
D. Protein
- Question 6: A child decided to eat only meat, oily fish, cheese and bread and
drink only water. Which nutrient would be in low levels in this diet?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
- Question 7: A person has bleeding gums. This could be caused by lack of which
nutrient?
A. Calcium
B. Iron
C. Vitamin C
D. Vitamin D
III. Energy and Calories:
1. Fibre:
- Fiber aids in digestion, prevents constipation, and provides a feeling of
fullness. It is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
- Fibre isn’t actually a nutrient because you can’t actually digest it. It’s made
mostly of cellulose and leaves the body as faeces. Foods made from plants will
be good sources of fibre.
2. Calories:
- Calories measure energy content in food and beverages.
- Consuming more calories than needed leads to weight gain, while consuming
fewer calories results in weight loss.
3. Storing energy:
- When we eat more food than our bodies need for immediate energy, it stores the
extra energy as fat. This stored energy can be used later when food isn't available.
- Small amounts of energy can also be stored in muscle cells and the liver, which
can be used for short-term energy needs.
- Factors like age, gender, physical activity, size, and metabolism determine
individuals' energy needs. It's important to adjust diet according to specific
requirements.
- Eating too much of a particular nutrient, such as fats or sugars, can lead to weight
gain, high cholesterol, diabetes, tooth decay and other health issues. It's important
to eat in moderation and have a balanced diet.
IV. EXERCISE:
1. The table shows the main contents of four meals. Which meal will be the
most effective at preventing constipation? Give a reason for your answer?
2. The graphs show the quantities of selected vitamins and minerals in four
foods
Which food is the richest source of the vitamin or mineral essential for
the transport of oxygen by the blood?
3. State 3 factors that influence a person’s nutritional needs
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4. Mineral ions are required in the human diet in small quantities. State the
mineral ion required for each process
Making bone:
Making haemoglobin:
5. Mycoprotein is
similar to single cell
protein and is sold as
an alternative to meat
such as beef. The table
below shows the
composition of
mycoprotein and beef.
a. State 2 differences in composition between mycoprotein and beef:
1. …………………………………………………………………………………
2. …………………………………………………………………………………
Using data from the table, suggest 2 reasons why eating mycoprotein is better for
health than eating beef ?
- Reason 1:………………………………………………………………………
Explanation:
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
- Reason 2:………………………………………………………………………
Explanation:
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
b. Calculate the dry mass of mycoprotein not presented by protein, fat, fibre or
carrbonhydrate. Show your working
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………
Suggest one nutrient that this dry mass might contain: ______________________
