Nutrition and Biological Foundations

Flashcards covering basic biological definitions, the scientific method, chemistry fundamentals, and the classes and properties of nutrients.

Six major classes of nutrients

Carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, water, vitamins, and minerals.

Nutrients

Substances that the body needs for energy, building materials, and control of body processes

Fiber

Nondigestible carbohydrates that are sometimes classified as the seventh class of nutrients.

Essential nutrients

Nutrients that cannot be synthesized by the human body in sufficient amounts and must be obtained from food, such as Tryptophan.

Nonessential nutrients

Nutrients that can be synthesized by the body in sufficient quantities for normal functioning, such as Lysine.

Dietary carbohydrates

come from grains, fruits, and vegetables

Digestible carbohydrates

used by the body for energy

Proteins

Organic compounds made up of amino acids that function as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies, and provide the basis for structures like muscles and skin.

Ex - Meat, Fish, Soybeans, & other Legumes

Protein energy density

One gram of protein provides $4$ calories of energy.

Lipids

Organic compounds made up mainly of fatty acids, typically occurring as triglycerides in the body and food.

Provides the body with energy, helps make and maintain cell membranes, and functions as hormones

Lipid energy density

One gram of fat provides $9$ calories of energy.

Saturated fats

Fats where carbon atoms share only single bonds; they tend to be solids at room temperature and mostly come from animal foods.

Monounsaturated fats

Fats where at least one pair of carbon atoms share a double bond; they tend to be liquids at room temperature.

Polyunsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats that contain multiple double bonds; they tend to be liquids at room temperature.

Essential fatty acids

Specific fats the body cannot make, specifically omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Trans fats

Fats created through partial hydrogenation that contain bonds rare in nature and are detrimental to human health.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that generally function as coenzymes, which are helper molecules required for protein enzymes to work.

Minerals

Inorganic chemical elements, such as Calcium, that are necessary for normal body processes and are considered essential nutrients.

Nutrient density

A comparison of the nutrient content of a food to its calorie content, such as Kale having higher density for Vitamin K than iceberg lettuce.

Refining

A process that typically removes many nutrients and most fiber from foods like white bread, pasta, and white rice.

My Plate

A guide showing that about half of a plate should be vegetables and fruits, and the other half should be whole grains and proteins, accompanied by dairy.