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The study of the nutrients and other substances in foods and the body’s handling of them.
 Epidemiological studies
 Case-control studies
 Animal studies
 Human intervention/clinical trials
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What Are Nutrients?
 Chemical substances obtained from food
 Used in the body to provide energy
 Used as structural materials and regulating agents to support growth, maintenance, and repair of body tissues
 May also reduce the risk of some diseases
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 Carbohydrates  Vitamins
 Lipids
 Protein
 Minerals
 Water
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Energy Yielding vs. Non-
Energy Yielding Nutrients
Energy yielding: Non-energy yielding:
 Carbohydrate  Vitamins
 Lipids
 Protein
 Minerals
 Water
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Organic Nutrients
A substance or molecule containing carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds.
 Carbohydrate
 Lipids
 Protein
 Vitamins
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Inorganic Nutrients
Not containing carbon or pertaining to living things
 Minerals
 Water
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Essential Nutrients
Nutrients a person must obtain from food because the body cannot make them for itself in sufficient quantity to meet physiological needs.
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Dietary Reference Intakes
A set of values for the dietary nutrient intakes of healthy people in the United
States and Canada, these values include:
 Estimated average requirements
 RDAs
 Adequate intakes
 Tolerable upper intake levels
 http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/7/296/webtablevita mins.pdf
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Estimated Average
Requirements
 The amount of a nutrient required to maintain a specific body function in half of the population
 Example: the amount of calcium needed to minimize bone loss in later life for half of the tested population
 Formulated by reviewing hundreds of research
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Recommended Dietary
Allowances
 The average daily amount of a nutrient considered adequate to meet the known nutrient needs of healthy people
 A goal for dietary intake by individuals
 A point within a range of appropriate and reasonable intakes between toxicity and deficiency
 Vitamin C: 90mg (males) / 75mg (females)
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Adequate Intakes
 Average amount of a nutrient that appears sufficient to maintain a specific criterion
 Used as a guide for nutrient intake when an
RDA cannot be determined
 AI relies more on scientific judgment than evidence
 Vitamin D: AI-5 ug (adults 19-50yo)
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Tolerable Upper Intake Level
 The maximum amount of a nutrient that appears safe for most healthy people
 Beyond this amount there is an increased risk of adverse health effects
 Useful in guarding against overconsumption particularly with supplement usage
 Vitamin A : UL-3000 ug ; Vitamin C: UL-2000 mg
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New Dietary Guidelines…2000
What is a "Healthy Diet"?
The Dietary Guidelines describe a healthy diet as one that
• Emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products;
• Includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and
• Is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.
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Dietary Guidelines
• Grains -eat at least 3 oz of whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta daily
• Vegetables -eat more dark-green veggies like broccoli, spinach, and other dark leafy greens; eat moreorange veggies like carrots and potatoes; eat more dry beans and peas like pinto, kidney, or lentils
• Fruits eat a variety of fresh, frozen, canned or dried fruit, go easy on fruit juices
• Milk -go low-fat or fat-free when you choose milk products; if you don’t or cant consume milk, choose lactose-free products or other calcium sourcessuch as fortified foods and beverages
• Meat & bean s -choose low-fat or lean meats & poultry; vary protein, choose more fish, beans, peas, nuts & seeds
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Dietary Guidelines
• Tips to help you :
• Make ½ your grains whole
• Choose whole or cut fruit instead of juice (fiber)
• Not all fats = bad-differentiates btwn solid fats (sat & trans fats) & fat-containing oils (healthier)
• Choose lean meat cuts, and remove skin before eating
• Vary protein choices by eating more fish- rich in omega 3 f.a. like salmon, trout, herring-and make more dishes out of dry beans or peas instead of animal proteins
• Make exercise fun by varying physical activities and doing with friends. Walk more, drive less.
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Healthy People 2010
• Includes 28 core focus areas
• Nutrition and Overweight is one of those areas
• See text p23
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Food Guide Pyramid
 A guide to daily food choices
• http://www.mypyramidgov
• http://www.healthierus.gov
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