Nutrition Concepts and Exam Preparation

These flashcards cover key concepts related to nutrition, food science, and exam preparation strategies that are essential for success in the course.

Calories

Units of energy provided by food; used to determine how much energy we obtain from macronutrients.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) that provide energy and are essential for growth and maintenance.

Micronutrients

Vitamins and minerals required in smaller amounts that are vital for various bodily functions.

Nutrient Density

The amount of nutrients per calorie in a food; a higher nutrient density means more nutrients for fewer calories.

Energy Density

The number of calories per gram of food; energy-dense foods contain more calories than nutrient-dense foods.

Vitamins

Organic compounds that are essential for normal growth and nutrition, required in small quantities in the diet.

Minerals

Inorganic elements critical for various bodily functions, not destroyed by cooking or processing.

Fortification

The process of adding nutrients to a food product that are either not present or not present in sufficient amounts.

Enrichment

The process of adding back nutrients to a food that were lost during processing.

Essential Nutrients

Nutrients that the body cannot synthesize on its own and must be obtained from the diet.

Overnutrition

A form of malnutrition characterized by excessive food intake or excessive intake of specific nutrients.

Undernutrition

A form of malnutrition resulting from insufficient intake of nutrients or calories.

Processed Food

Food that has been altered from its natural state for safety reasons or convenience.

Moderation

Eating a balanced amount; not consuming too much of any one food or food group.

Variation

Incorporating different types of foods within a diet to ensure a range of nutrients.

Hypothesis

An educated guess that provides a starting point for further investigation.

Correlation

A measure of the relationship between two variables, which can be positive (both increase or decrease together) or negative (one increases while the other decreases).