Food and Nutrients


 Carbohydrates, fat and protein are all forms of heat energy for the body. They are classified in what are called calories. A calorie is the bodies source of enegry. Each of these 3 things called macronutrients function in different ways.

 Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the body's main source of energy. Each gram contains 4 calories. Carbohydrates are divided into 3 categories: Complex carbs, simple carbs and fiber.

 Common food sources for carbohydrates are grains such as rice, wheat, barley, and corn; legumes such as beans, peas and lentils; fruits and some vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, beets and sugars.

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 Proteins

Protein is long strains of things called amino acids. These amino acids have many functions for the body. Protein contains 4 calories per gram. 


 

Common food sources for protein are fish, meat, poultry, yogurt, milk, beans and soy.  

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 Fats

Fat is divided into 4 categories, which are distinctly different.  Saturated fat and trans fat which are the "bad" fats and unsaturated fats which are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.  These unsaturated fats are considered "good" fats.  All fats both provide 9 kcal per gram.   

Common food sources for fats are oils, butters, nuts, fatty meat, baked goods

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 Vitamins and Minerals

There are 13 different vitamins that can be divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble.  There are 16 essential minerals required by the body, macrominerals, or microminerals.  


Vitamins and minerals are found in all food but especially in fruits and vegetables.  Example of Vitamins are A, D, E, K and minerals are calcium, chloride, magnesium, potassium etc.  

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