Nutrition

Energy (calories)

Energy comes from fat, carbohydrate, protein and alcohol that food and drink contains.

Found in all drinks, but different amounts of it.

Different people need different amounts of energy.

Energy is needed for the body to stay alive, grow, keep warm and be active.

Protein is needed for growth and repair of the body.

It is also an energy source. 1g of protein provides 4 k cal.

Different foods contain different amounts and combinations of amino acids. (the building blocks of protein)

The amount of protein we need changes throughout our lifetimes.

The main sources include meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, cereals and cereal products (e.g. bread) nuts, pulses (peas, beans, lentils)

Fat provides energy; 1gram provides 37 KJ (9 K cal)

All fats contain both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids but are sometimes described as either 'saturated' or 'unsaturated' according to the proportions of fatty acids present.

Butter is often described as a 'saturated fat' , while most vegetable oils are described as 'unsaturated fats'

Fat is needed for health but only in small amounts. no more than about one third of our energy intake should come from fat.

There are 2 main groups of carbohydrates - starch and sugars

The main source of carbohydrate include starchy foods, such as cereal, pulses and potatoes and foods and drinks containing sugars such as milk, fruits and vegetables, jam, confectionery, table sugar and some soft drinks.

Sugars are called simple carbohydrates. They are called simple because your body digests them quickly and easily.

Starchy carbohydrates are called complex carbohydrates. These carbohydrates take longer to be digested than simple carbohydrates do.

Carbohydrates provide a source of energy - Glucose.

Vitamins are needed in very small amounts for many of the processes carried out in the body.

Vitamins are found in small amounts in many foods and can be put into 2 groups: fat soluble vitamins and water soluble vitamins.

Dietary fibre is found in cereal foods, beans, lentils, fruit & vegetables. It is not digested by the body. It is the parts that you can not eat of fruit, vegetables,cereals, beans and pulses.

Fibre is important as it adds bulk to the diet and this helps food travel along the digestive system more quickly helping us go to the toilet.