Nutrition Basics: Macro- and Micro- Nutrients

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to nutrition basics, focusing on macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients

Nutrients required in large amounts; includes water, protein, carbohydrates, and fat.

Micronutrients

Essential nutrients required in small amounts; includes vitamins and minerals.

Essential Nutrients

Nutrients that must be obtained from the diet because the body cannot synthesize them.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs)

A set of reference values used to plan and assess nutrient intakes.

Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)

The average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97-98%) healthy individuals.

Adequate Intake (AI)

A recommended intake level based on observed or experimentally derived approximations.

Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL)

The maximum daily intake unlikely to cause adverse health effects.

Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR)

The recommended percentage of calories that should come from each macronutrient.

Calories

A unit of measure indicating the amount of energy obtained from food.

Nutrient-Dense Foods

Foods that are high in nutrients relative to their calorie content.

Whole Grains

Grains that retain all parts of the seed, providing more nutrients compared to refined grains.

Vitamins

Essential organic compounds that promote metabolism, growth, and reproduction; can be water-soluble or fat-soluble.

Minerals

Inorganic elements that aid physiological processes and build body structures.

Food Labels

Labels that provide information about the nutrient content and health claims of food products.

Health Claims

Descriptions of a relationship between a food and a health effect, supported by scientific evidence.

Structure and Function Claims

Statements that describe the effect of a food component on the body but are not regulated by the FDA.

Mindful Eating

The practice of being aware of the cues your body sends concerning appetite and food.

Probiotics

Live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for health, especially digestive health.