nutrition

nutrition

the process by which your body takes in and uses food

nutrients

substances in food that your body needs to grow, repair itself, and supply you with energy

calorie

a unit of heat used to measure the energy your body uses and energy it receives from food

hunger

the natural physical drive to eat prompted by the body's need for food

appetite

the psychological desire for food

uses of nutrients

as an energy source
to heal, build, and repair tissue
to sustain growth
to help transport oxygen to cells
to regulate bodily functions

carbohydrates

starches and sugars found in foods which provide your body's main source of energy

glycemic index

a measure of how the ingestion of a particular food affects blood glucose levels

types of carbs

simple
complex
fiber

protein

nutrient the body uses to build and maintain its cells and tissues

essential amino acids

amino acids that are needed, but cannot be made by the body; they must be eaten in foods

20

number of amino acids in the body

52

grams of protein needed by teen boys per day

46

grams of protein needed by teen girls per day

types of fats

unsaturated
saturated
trans

unsaturated fat

may decrease risk of heart disease (vegetables, nuts, seeds)

saturated fat

may increase risk of heart disease (animal-based products)

trans fat

formed by a process called hydrogenation, raises total blood cholesterol level and increases risk for heart disease

metabolism

the way by which the body breaks down substances and gets energy from food

3500

calories per pound

BMI

height relative to weight

body composition

ratio of muscle to fat

15%

healthy body fat

overweight

higher than the standard weight range for height

obese

having an excess of body fat (5/4 BMI)

underweight

lower than the standard weight range for height

body image

the way you see your body

fad diets

weight loss plans only popular for a short period of time

eating disorders

extreme, obsessive eating behaviors that can cause serious illness or even death

anorexia nervosa

an eating disorder in which an irrational fear of gaining weight leads people to starve themselves by eating fewer than 900 calories

bulimia nervosa

involves cycles of binging and purging or attempts to rid the body of food

purging

ridding the body of food in the form of throwing up, using laxatives, or sweating

binge eating

an eating disorder in which people over eat

sings of an eating disorder

drastic weight loss/gain
skipping meals
frequent bathroom trips
pulling away from friends and activities
excessive time at the gym
obsession with nutrition

environmental influences on food choice

family and culture
friends
time and money
advertising

6

types of nutrients

vitamins, minerals, water

nutrients that do not provide energy

carbs, proteins, fats

nutrients that provide energy

45

recommended percentage of daily calories from carbohydrates

fiber

a tough complex carbohydrate that the body cannot digest

hormones

chemicals that regulate the activities of your various body systems

10-15

recommended percentage of daily calories from protein

cholesterol

a waxy, fat-like substance that can cause build up on the insides of the arteries

vitamins

compounds found in the food that help regulate many body processes

B, C, and folic acid

water-soluble vitamins

A, D, E, K

fat-soluble vitamins

minerals

elements found in food that are used by the body

osteoporosis

a condition in which the bones become fragile and break easily

nutrient-dense

a high ratio of nutrients to calories

food additives

substances added to a food to produce a desired effect

weight cycling

a repeated pattern of losing and regaining body weight

health consequences of anorexia

malnutrition
starvation
decreased heart rate
brittle bones
decreased body temperature
decreased blood pressure
reduction in organ size
heat problems
cardiac death

health consequences of bulimia

dehydration
sore/inflamed throat
swollen glands
damaged teeth, stomach, intestines, kidneys
irregular heart rhythms
heart failure