Basic Nutrition

metabolism

The process of converting food to energy (movement or heat) in muscles and organs, referred to as burning calories.

basal metabolism

The caloric expenditure needed to maintain basic body functions, using 75% of the calories spent on a daily basis.

nutrients

Food substances required for growth and maintenance of cells.

nutrient density

Amount of nutrients in a food for the number of calories it supplies.

caloric balance

Taking in the number of calories equal to the number of calories used.

calorie

Amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade.

essential

Absolutely necessary to live.

carbohydrates

Main source of energy.

4 calories

Amount of energy from 1 gram of carbohydrates.

50% to 60%

Percentage range of calories that should come from carbohydrates.

simple, complex

Two types of carbohydrates.

simple

Type of carbohydrates in meat and beans.

complex

Type of carbohydrates in bread and grain.

proteins

The building blocks of one's body.

4 calories

Amount of energy from 1 gram of proteins.

amino acids

Components of proteins.

22

Number of types of amino acids.

complete, incomplete

Two types of proteins.

complete

Proteins that have all 8 essential amino acids,

incomplete

Proteins lacking one or more essential amino acids.

15% to 20%

Percentage range of calories that should come from proteins.

fat

Provider of energy for muscles and organs.

fat

Fuel which stays in its form if not burned.

2

Factor by which fat provides more energy than carbohydrates.

unsaturated, saturated

Two types of fat.

saturated

Type of fat solid at room temperature.

unsaturated

Type of fat liquid at room temperature.

saturated

Type of fat mostly from animal products.

unsaturated

Type of fat mostly from plant products.

saturated

Type of fat with examples including sunflower, corn, and soybean oil.

unsaturated

Type of fat with examples including lard, butter, and meat fat.

minerals

Regulator of cell activity.

none

Amount of energy provided by minerals.

vitamins

Substances absorbed by minerals into our bodies.

small

Adjective describing the amount of minerals essential for good health.

vitamins

Repairer of body cells.

energy

Result of food after being transformed by vitamins.

none

Amount of energy provided by vitamins.

tissue growth and repair

Processes that vitamins stimulate.

vision

Sense aided by vitamins.

immune, nervous

Two systems with activities aided by vitamins.

water-soluble, fat-soluble

Two types of vitamins.

water-soluble

Type of vitamins that can be broken down in water or body fluids.

fat-soluble

Type of vitamins that require fat in the body to be broken down and utilized.