Learning Targets
• I can define the terms nutrition and diet
• I can discuss factors that influence a person’s diet
• I can describe the six types of nutrients *
Food for Life
 Nutrition is the science or study of food and the ways in which the body uses food.
 Good nutrition can have a powerful impact on your overall health and well-being.
 Make good food choices
 Food provides the fuel you need for energy and growth
Are You on a Diet?
 A diet is the food and drink that we regularly choose to consume.
Factors that Influence Your Diet
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Geography
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Family
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Cultural Background
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Convenience
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Cost
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Advertising
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Friends
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Personal Taste
The Six Types of Nutrients
1. Carbohydrates (provide energy)
2.
3.
Fats (provide and store energy)
Proteins (provide energy & build and repair cells and tissue)
4.
5.
Vitamins (help form body tissues)
Minerals (help form body tissues)
6. Water (help form body tissues)

What is a calorie?
 The energy obtained from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats is measured in units called calories.
 Calorie = unit of energy available in foods
Where do Calories Come from
 Carbohydrates provide 4 calories per gram
 Proteins provide 4 calories per gram
 Fats provide 9 calories per gram
Carbohydrates (CHO)
 Carbohydrates are the starches and sugars that provide the body with most of its energy.
 There are two types of CHO’s – simple and complex
 60% of the calories you eat should come from CHO’s, mainly from complex carbohydrates

Proteins
 Proteins are needed to build, repair, and maintain body cells and tissues, particularly muscle. They also provide energy.
 Examples of protein include: meat, fish, poultry, eggs, milk, cheese, nuts, and dry beans.
 Proteins are made up of amino acids. Amino acids along with proteins make up the building blocks of life
 There are 22 amino acids in proteins, your body can make 14.
 The other 8, called essential amino acids, must come from the foods you eat.
 It is important to get all the essential amino acids in your diet.
Complete vs. Incomplete proteins
 Foods from animal sources are complete proteins- they contain all 8 essential amino acids.
 Foods from plants are incomplete proteins- they lack at least one essential amino acid.
 Vegetarians must eat a variety of incomplete proteins in order to get all their essential amino acids.
Fats
 Fats are a source of energy and are essential for vital body functions.
 Insulate body temperature changes
 Cushion body organs
 Carry fat-soluble vitamins
 Promote healthy skin and normal growth
 Excess fat is stored in body as extra weight
 Saturated fats are fats that are solid at room temperature.
 Ex. Butter; stick margarine; and fats in meat, poultry, & dairy products.
 Eating a lot of foods that are high in saturated fats increases the risk of heart disease.
 Unsaturated fats are fats that are liquid at room temperature and come mainly from plant sources.
 Ex. Vegetable oils, nuts, olives, and avocados
 Unsaturated fats are good for you and are believed to lower risk of heart disease.
 Trans fats are unsaturated fats that have been chemically altered to make them solid. Trans fats are linked to heart disease.

Fats Breakdown
 Saturated fats = bad
 Unsaturated fats = good
 Polyunsaturated fats
 Monounsaturated fats
 Trans fats = really really bad
Vitamins
 Vitamins are substances needed in small quantities that help regulate body functions, including helping the body process other nutrients and fight infections.
 Two groups of vitamins a) Water-soluble vitamins (include all the B vitamins and vitamin C)
 Can’t be stored in the body
 Need from daily diet b) Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins D E K A)
 Can be stored in the body until needed
 Don’t have to be eaten daily
Minerals
 Minerals are elements needed in small quantities for sturdy bones and teeth, healthy blood, and the regulation of daily elimination.

Water
 Water is the most common nutrient, making up about 60% of the body.
 Carries other nutrients through the body
 Helps digestion
 Removes waste from the body
 Lubricates joints
 Keeps body from overheating
 FYI: 80-90% of most fruits and veggies are water
 The amount you need daily is affected by your diet, your activity level, and by how hot and humid the weather is.
Reading a Nutrition Fact Label
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Look for foods that have low daily value % (below 5%) for fats, cholesterol, & sodium, & choose foods whose labels show high % (20% or above) of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Putting Nutrients in Your Diet
 No two people need exactly the same amount of each type of nutrient.
 There are four factors that affect your nutrient needs:
 Age
 Body size
 General health
 Exercise