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2. Food and nutrients2.2 The nutritional value of food

2.2.3

The role of the food groups

HYDRATION AND CIRCULATIONThe human body is an aqueous environment. Water is anessential component of cells and represents about 60% ofbody weight. We need to absorb two to three litres of waterevery day to hydrate the body. Of those 2 to 3 litres,only 1 or 2 litres should be consumed as drinks. The rest isprovided by food, which almost always contains water.

For example, tomatoes are particularly rich in water. Between 90 and95%!Water also transports nutrients throughout the body, to our cells where theyare used.Keywords > The water content of a tomato: 90 – 95%

It is important to absorb water in DIGESTIX. If not, you will quickly dehydrate and willhave to start the level you were on all over again.

FUNCTION AND PROTECTION

The fruit and vegetable group plays a role in body functionand protection, especially thanks to vitamins, which protectus against illness and allow the body to use the nutrients itreceives.

BUILDING

The meat group helps build the body. It primarily contains proteins which are neededto build muscles and skin. The ‘dairy products group' contain minerals such ascalcium. These minerals are vital for building bones and teeth.

The meat and dairy products groups both help 'build' the body. This is why they aresometimes called construction groups or groups with a structural role.

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ENERGY

There are three groups left: cereals, fats and sweets. These groups primarily performan energy-giving role. The body constantly requires energy, even when asleep. Itneeds energy to keep the heart beating and blood circulating and to breathe, walk,run and carry out a wide range of other activities! Carbohydrates provide immediateenergy, while fats are considered as 'reserve' energy the body can store. This reserveenergy allows us to keep going during long-term energy expenditure.

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2.2.3

The role of the food groupsQUI020203_01

Approximately how much of the humanbody is water?

○ 20%○ 60%○ 95%

QUI020203_02

How much water do we each absorbevery day?

○ 1 to 2 litres○ 0.5 to 1 litre○ 2 to 3 litres

QUI020203_03

Besides hydration, what other role doeswater play in the body?

○ Building○ Circulation○ Protection

QUI020203_04

What is the role of fruit and vegetablesin the body?

○ Function and building○ Cleaning and building○ Function and protection

QUI020203_05

Which food is involved in building thebody?

○ Meat and dairy products○ Cereals and fats○ Drinks, fruit and vegetables

QUI020203_06

Which food provides the body withenergy?

○ Cereals, sugary products and fats○ Dairy products and meat○ Drinks, fruit and vegetables

QUI020203_07

Your body needs energy even when youare asleep.

○ False○ True

QUI020203_08

Which nutrient provides a source ofenergy the body can access quickly?

○ Proteins○ Lipids○ Carbohydrates

QUI020203_09

What should we eat before going on aone-kilometre run?

○ Vegetables○ Pasta○ Ice cream

QUI020203_10

Carbohydrates supply the body with areserve of energy, which is essential forprolonged energy use.

○ False○ True

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AnswersQUI020203_01

Approximately how much of the humanbody is water?

○ 20%Wrong! That’s how much water there is in a driedapricot.

● 60%Well done! Around two thirds of your body iswater. This is why it is essential that you renewyour water reserves every day.

○ 95%Wrong! That’s how much water there is in ajellyfish.

QUI020203_02

How much water do we each absorbevery day?

○ 1 to 2 litresWrong! That is the amount of water we get fromdrinks. Remember, food also contains a lot ofwater.

○ 0.5 to 1 litreWrong! That would not be enough to make up forwater losses.

● 2 to 3 litresWell done! Drinks provide us with 1 to 2 litres ofwater and the rest comes from food.

QUI020203_03

Besides hydration, what other role doeswater play in the body?

○ BuildingWrong! Other nutrients fulfil this role.

● CirculationWell done! Water helps nutrients circulate throughyour body.

○ ProtectionWrong! Other nutrients fulfil this role.

QUI020203_04

What is the role of fruit and vegetablesin the body?

○ Function and buildingWrong! Other nutrients fulfil the building role, butyou’re on the right track.

○ Cleaning and buildingWrong! Other nutrients fulfil these roles.

● Function and protectionWell done! Fruit and vegetables are rich invitamins, which help your body use nutrients andalso protect you against illnesses.

QUI020203_05

Which food is involved in building thebody?

● Meat and dairy productsWell done! Meat mainly contains proteins requiredby your muscles and skin. Dairy products providethe minerals that your teeth and bones require.

○ Cereals and fatsWrong! These contain carbohydrates or lipidswhich provide you with energy.

○ Drinks, fruit and vegetablesWrong! Drinks hydrate your body while fruit andvegetables provide vitamins to protect it and help itto function.

QUI020203_06

Which food provides the body withenergy?

● Cereals, sugary products and fatsWell done! This kind of food containscarbohydrates and lipids, which provide the energyrequired for your body to function.

○ Dairy products and meatWrong! This food is mainly responsible for buildingyour body.

○ Drinks, fruit and vegetablesWrong! Fruit and vegetables play a protective roleand drinks hydrate your body.

QUI020203_07

Your body needs energy even when youare asleep.

○ FalseWrong! Does your body stop functioning when youare asleep?

● TrueWell done! Energy helps you walk, eat and workwhen you are awake but, when you are asleep,your heart continues to beat and you continue tobreathe, so you need energy for your body to keepthese functions going.

QUI020203_08

Which nutrient provides a source ofenergy the body can access quickly?

○ ProteinsWrong! Proteins are building elements for yourbody.

○ LipidsWrong! Lipids are a source of energy, but yourbody stores them and uses them later, when itneeds them.

● CarbohydratesWell done! Carbohydrates are a source of energyyour body uses immediately.

QUI020203_09

What should we eat before going on aone-kilometre run?

○ VegetablesWrong! Vegetables are not a source of energy foryour body.

● PastaWell done! Pasta is rich in carbohydrates, a greatsource of energy for activities that only last a shorttime.

○ Ice creamWrong! Ice cream is rich in carbohydrates, but isnot the best source of energy for activities that onlylast a short time.

QUI020203_10

Carbohydrates supply the body with areserve of energy, which is essential forprolonged energy use.

● FalseWell done! Carbohydrates are a source of energythat your body uses immediately.

○ TrueWrong! Your body stores lipids as a reserve ofenergy, ready to be used for activities that last along time.

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ACTT02C02L03_B

Nutritional role[11-13 years old and 14-16 years old]

List two foodstuffs for each nutritional role.

Function:_______________________________________________________________

Building:_________________________________________________________________

Energy:______________________________________________________________

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Answers

Nutritional role[11-13 years old and 14-16 years old]

List two foodstuffs for each nutritional role.

Function:(Foods from the fruits and vegetables group)

Building:(Foods from the . Meat, fish and eggs group and the diary group)

Energy:(Foods from the cereals potatoes and pulses group, the fats groups and the sugary group)

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ACTT02C02L03_C

Water content[14-16 years old]

Estimate the water content of the following foodstuffs.Tomatoes, for example, contain a lot of water. They are in fact 90 to 95% water!

Lemons Broccoli Cow’s milk Apricots Melon

__% __% __% __% __%

Potatoes Olives Peas Eggs Bananas

__% __% __% __% __%

AvocadosCamembert

cheese BreadEmmental

cheese Jam

__% __% __% __% __%

Butter Crackers Chocolate Oil

__% __% __% __%

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Answers

Water content[14-16 years old]

Estimate the water content of the following foodstuffs.Tomatoes, for example, contain a lot of water. They are in fact 90 to 95% water!

Lemons Broccoli Cow’s milk Apricots Melon

90% 89% 87% 85% 85%

Potatoes Olives Peas Eggs Bananas

78% 75% 75% 75% 74%

AvocadosCamembert

cheese BreadEmmental

cheese Jam

67% 51% 40% 35% 33%

Butter Crackers Chocolate Oil

15% 6% 2% 0%