Nutrition is the study of food, includingHow food nourishes our bodiesHow food influences our health

Nutrition is a relatively new discipline of science.

Nutrition can prevent disease.

Nutrient deficiency diseases: scurvy, goiter, rickets;

Diseases influenced by nutrition: chronic diseases such as heart disease;

Diseases in which nutrition plays a role: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis.

o Obesity is a growing problem.

Good nutrition has become a national goal.

Goals of Healthy People 2010

1. Increase quality and years of healthy life

2. Eliminate health disparities

Nutrients are the chemicals in foods that are critical to human growth and function.

Nutrients are essential, i.e. we must eat them from food because they are not produced in large enough amounts (or at all) in body for good health.

Carbohydrates Fats and Oils Proteins Vitamins Minerals Water

Macronutrients: nutrients required in relatively large amounts.Provide energy to our bodiesCarbohydrates, fats and oils, proteins

Micronutrients: nutrients required in smaller amounts.Vitamins and minerals

We measure energy in kilocalories (kcal).

Kilocalorie: amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1g of water by 1oC.

On food labels, “calorie” actually refers to kilocalories.

Primary source of fuel for the body, especially for the brain.

Provide 4 kcal per gram.

Carbohydrates are found in grains (wheat, rice), vegetables, fruits, and legumes.

Fats and oils are composed of lipids, molecules that are insoluble in water.

Provide 9 kcal per gram.

An important energy source during rest or low intensity exercise.

Found in butter, margarine, vegetable oils, animal fat.

Proteins are chains of amino acids.

Proteins can supply 4 kcal of energy per gram, but are not a primary energy source.

Proteins are an important source of nitrogen

Proteins are important for Building cells and tissuesMaintaining bonesRepairing damageRegulating metabolism

Protein sources include meats, dairy products, seeds, nuts, and legumes.

Vitamins: organic molecules that assist in regulating body processes.

Vitamins are micronutrients that do not supply energy to our bodies.

1. Fat-soluble vitamins 2. Water-soluble vitamins

Fat-soluble vitamins: Vitamins A, D, E and KDissolve easily in fats and oils

Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body.

Water-soluble vitamins: Vitamin C and the B vitaminsRemain dissolved in water

Excess water-soluble vitamins are eliminated by the kidneys and cannot be stored in our bodies.

Minerals: inorganic substances required for body processes.

Minerals include sodium, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Minerals have many different functions such as fluid regulation, bone structure, muscle movement, and nerve functioning.

Water is a critical nutrient for health and survival.

Water is involved in many body processes:

fluid balance nutrient transport nerve impulses removal of wastes muscle contractions chemical reactions

and many, many more…

Now that we know about nutrients, it’s time to look at how to examine a healthful diet. The tools for designing a healthful diet may include:

Food LabelsDietary GuidelinesMyPyramid – the Food Guide PyramidMyPlate

The FDA requires food labels on most products. These labels must include:

1. A statement of identity2. Net contents of the package3. Ingredients list4. Manufacturer’s name and address 5. Nutrition information **

(Nutrition Facts Panel)

The Nutrition Facts Panel contains the nutrition information required by the FDA.

This information can be used in planning a healthful diet. How does a food fit into a healthful diet?

Serving size and servings per container

Serving sizes may be used to plan appropriate amounts of food.

Standardized serving sizes allow for comparisons among similar products.

Calories per serving and calories from fat per serving

This information can be used to determine if a product is relatively high in fat.

List of nutrients

Fat (Total and Saturated) Cholesterol Sodium Carbohydrates Protein Some key vitamins and minerals

Percent Daily Values (%DV)

Describes how much a serving of food contributes to your total intake of a nutrient.

Is based on a diet of 2,000 calories per day.

Can be used to determine if a product is low or high in a particular nutrient

< 5% = “low” and > 20% = “high”

Contains general dietary advice for all people;

Must be present on all food labels;

Also compares a 2,000 calorie diet with a 2,500 calorie diet.

Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010

General advice for nutrition and health from:

US Department of Health and Social Services US Department of Agriculture

Revised every 5 years.

Emphasize good food choices and physical activity.

Enjoy your food, but eat less.Avoid oversized portions.Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals – and choose the foods with lower numbers.Drink water instead of sugary drinks.Complement healthful food choices with increased physical activity.

Fruits Vegetables Grains Proteins Dairy

Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group

Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, dried, whole, cut-up or pureed.

Key Consumer Message: Make half your plate fruits and vegetables!

As part of a healthy diet fruit may reduce risk for heart disease, protect against certain types of cancers, reduce the risk of obesity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Most fruits are naturally low in fat, sodium and calories.

None have cholesterol.

Fruits are sources of many essential nutrients including: potassium; dietary fiber, vitamin C, and folate.

Any vegetable of 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the Vegetable Group.

Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed.

Key Consumer Message: Make half of your plate fruits and vegetables!

As part of an overall healthy diet, vegetables may reduce the risk for heart disease, protect against certain types of cancers and may reduce the risk of obesity and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Most vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories.

None have cholesterol. BUT SAUCES OR SEASONINGS MAY ADD

FAT, CALORIES OR CHOLESTEROL!!!! Vegetables may provide dietary fiber,

potassium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and potassium.

Any food made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley or another cereal grain is a grain product.

Bread, pasta, oatmeal, breakfast cereals, tortillas, and grits are examples of grain products.

Grains are divided into 2 subgroups: Whole Grains and Refined Grains.

Key Consumer Message: Make at least half of your grains whole grains!

Contain the entire grain kernel – the bran, germ, and endosperm.

Examples include: whole-wheat flour; bulgur (cracked wheat); oatmeal; whole cornmeal; brown rice.

Refined grains have been milled. This is a process that removes the bran and the germ. This is done to give grains a finer texture and improve their shelf life, but it also removes dietary fiber, iron, and many B vitamins.

Examples of refined grains are: white flour; de-germed cornmeal; white bread; white rice.

Most refined grains are enriched – that is, certain B vitamins and iron are added back after processing, but fiber is not added back.

Eating grains, especially whole grains as part of a healthy diet may reduce the risk of some chronic diseases: heart disease, obesity; neural tube defects during fetal development.

Dietary fiber (especially in whole grains)

B vitamins

Minerals – iron, magnesium and selenium

All foods made from meat, poultry, seafood, beans and peas, eggs, processed soy products, nuts and seeds are part of the Protein Foods Group. (Beans and peas are also part of the Vegetable Group.)

Select a variety of protein foods including at least 8 ounces * of cooked seafood per week.

Key Consumer Message: Meat and poultry choices should be lean or low-fat.

Proteins serve as the “building blocks” for: bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, blood, enzymes, hormones and vitamins.

Proteins provide calories (energy).

The nutrients in proteins serve a variety of functions in the body: they help release energy; carry oxygen in the blood; help build tissues; and many more.

Meats, poultry, fish, dry beans and peas, eggs, nuts and seeds supply many nutrients: protein, B vitamins, vitamin E, iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Omege-3 fatty acids which are found in seafood may help reduce the risk for heart disease.

All fluid milk products and many foods made from milk are part of this good group.

Key Consumer message: Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.

Eating/drinking dairy products is linked to improved bone health – especially during childhood and adolescence.

Eating/drinking dairy products may also reduce the risk of some diseases (osteoporosis; heart disease; type 2 diabetes).

Calcium (bones, teeth);

Potassium (maintaining healthy blood pressure);

Vitamin D (helps to maintain proper levels of calcium and phosphorous.

In low-fat or non-fat form, provide little or no fat.

Oils are fats that are liquid at room temperature. Although oils are NOT a food group, they do provide essential nutrients.

Examples of oils are: canola oil; corn oil; cottonseed oil; olive oil; safflower oil.

Some foods are naturally high in oils: nuts; olives; some fish; avocados.

Only small amounts of oils are recommended.

Increasing energy and stamina; Improving brain function; Speeding up recovery and healing

processes. Assisting in many body processes.

Essential fatty acids; Vitamin E.

A healthful diet is...

Adequate

Varied

Balanced

Moderate

An adequate diet provides enough energy, nutrients, fiber, and vitamins to support a person’s health.

A diet adequate in many nutrients can still be inadequate in a few nutrients.

Variety refers to eating many different types of foods each day.

A healthful diet is not based on only one or a few types of foods.

A balanced diet contains the right combinations of foods to provide the proper balance of nutrients.

Another key to a healthful diet is moderation.

A healthful diet contains the right amounts of foods for maintaining proper weight – neither too much nor too little food.