Consumer Studies- Nutrition

Nutrition

- Is the scientific study of processes by: which food and nutrients are taken in and used for growth and repair, maintenance of the body and production of energy.
- Good Nutrition means that you eat enough of the right food in the right proportions, or a well-balanced diet.
- Nutrition is essential for life. The food we eat can determine how we feel, look and work.
- It can effect our health and influence the quality of our lives.
- The most important components in the food we eat are the nutrients.
These Nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, fats and oils, vitamins minerals and water.

Nutrients

Nutrients is a chemical components of food that performs a specific function in the body e.g.
• Proteins – build and repair tissues.
• Fats and Carbohydrates – provide energy.
• Vitamins and Minerals – protect against diseases.

Diet

This includes all the food we eat daily (in one day).

Balanced Diet

A diet contains sufficient quantities of essential nutrients that the body needs from the 6 food groups in the correct quantities and has got lots of variety of foods to maintain health and growth.

Malnutrition

- Malnutrition means poor Nutrition, it is a diet that lacks certain kinds of food and includes an excess of other types of food. This kind of diet will result in poor health.

- Poor Nutrition can result in any of the following:

• Being too fat or too thin.
• Bones not being straight or strong.
• Muscles being weak and underdeveloped.
• Being constipated.
• Suffering from depression and listlessness.
• Being more susceptible to infection.
• Having things like scaly skin and score gums.
• Lack of energy

What is the life cycle?

The life cycle is the period from when you were conceived right the way through until death.

Nutrients have specific main functions in our bodies.

• Protein is the fundamental component of almost all body tissue. Protein is involved in the growth, repair and maintenance of many of the body functions.
• Carbohydrates provide energy for the body – they are the body fuel.
• Fats provide energy for low intensity activities. They help with the absorption of vitamins.
• Vitamins are needed for protection against diseases and the general maintenance of health. Each vitamin fulfills a specific function in the body.
• Minerals are needed for protection against diseases and the general maintenance of vital functions such as metabolism, energy production, water balance, oxygen transport and nerve functions.
• Water is an important building and regulating substance in the body.

Portions

This means a “serving” of food. The size of a portion should be moderate but will differ according to a person’s needs and appetite.

Junk

These are foods such as hamburgers, pies, hotdogs and fizzy drinks.
They have a low nutritive value and supply mostly “empty” kilojoules (calories) to the body.

Sweets such as desserts, syrups, jellies, jams, candies and soft drinks contain high amounts of sugar. Most foods in this category don’t consist of vitamins and minerals. That’s why they are also known as ‘empty kilojoules (calorie) foods. They can be consumed in an adequate quantity as a part of healthy diet. If we consume them in excess quantity, it causes obesity.

Obesity

Being excessively overweight to the point where it is hazardous for health. (Life threatening.)

A kilojoules (kJ):

Is the amount of energy obtained from food namely proteins, carbohydrates (starch and sugar) and fats. (USA is measured in kilocalories)

The six basic food groups

Bread and cereal Food Group (starchy):
Starchy foods include grains (also known as cereal), corn and grain products. Grains include wheat, rice, and maize (mealies). Products made from grains include foods like bread, rice, pasta, breakfast cereal, biscuits, muffins, cake, crackers and maize products. Whole wheat bread and brown rice are examples of unrefined grain products (fibre). White bread, pasta and white rice are examples of refined grain products. Unrefined grain products are healthier.

Fruit Food Group:
You can get fruit in many forms, including fresh, frozen, canned, dehydrated, dried and juiced. To get the most out of fruit, you should eat them fresh. The main nutrients in this food group are Vitamins C and A, water and fibre.


Vegetables Food Group:
You can get vegetables in many forms, including fresh, frozen, canned, dried and juiced. To get the most out of vegetables, you should eat them fresh. These foods are low in fat and energy and high in fibre and also provide a variety of vitamins and minerals.

Meat and meat alternatives Food Group:
Chicken, eggs and red meat are rich sources of protein. Oily fish such as pilchards and sardines should be included in the diet. (They contain Omega- 3 fatty acids). Eggs also have very high protein content.

Non – meat foods that provide proteins include dried beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds and soya beans. These foods are highly recommended for good health because they are:
• Rich in fibre and proteins
• Low in fat
• Rich in vitamins and minerals
• Low GI (Glycaemic Index) and can contribute to an improved blood glucose control.


Milk and milk products Food Group:
Milk and milk products such as cheese, cream cheese, yoghurt, buttermilk, maas, milk powder, ice cream, cream cheese and evaporated milk also provide proteins which promote growth. (They build and maintain strong teeth and bones).

Fats and oils Food Group (sweets):
Sources of fats and oils include margarine, butter, cream, sunflower oil, soya and maize oil, salad dressings. (Jams, jelly, candies and soft drinks fall under this group because they contain high amounts of sugar).