nutrition

• peer pressure 
• food scares - reports in the media that may cause people to stop eating certain foods
• lifestyles - demand for food that is easy to prepare
• health - making changes to improve our health 
• religious/moral beliefs - religions often have food laws - morally wrong to kill animals 
• storage and cooking facilities - facilities may be limited 
• personal choice - we are influenced by organoleptic qualities 
• regional variations 
• food trends - we may be persuaded to buy certain products
• cultural - eating patterns vary according to beliefs, values where we live and foods available
• your skills 

Religious issues:

Hinduism - cow is sacred - usually vegetarians - many fasting days 

Sikhism - similar to hindus - more meat is eaten

Islam - pig is considered unclean - other animals must be slaughtered in a particular way - Halal

Jews - meat must be specially slaughtered - Kosher - no pork - meat and dairy cannot be eaten together

Micronutrients > Vitamins 

• made up of Carbon, Hydrogen and Oxygen 

Functions: 

• maintain health
• prevent deficiency diseases - e.g. beri beri and rickets
• regulate the repair of body cells
• combat the ageing process
• help to process carbohydrates and release energy

Sources of Fibre: Insoluble Fibre: 

• absorbs water - increases bulk - soft and bulky faeces 
• E.g. wholemeal flour, wholegrain breakfast cereals, pasta, brown rice and some fruits and veg

Soluble Fibre:

• slows digestion and absorption of carbohydrates - helps control blood sugar levels - stops hunger
• reduce blood cholesterol levels - reduce risk of heart disease
• E.g. oats, peas, beans, lentils, most fruits and veg 

Micronutrients > Minerals Calcium, Iron, Sodium, Phosphorus, Fluoride

Functions: strong bones and teethcontrolling body processes - e.g. nerve impulsesessential part of body fluids and cellsform part of enzymes and other proteins - necessary for energy release 

Calcium:strong bones and teeth 

• E.g. dairy products, sardines, white bread, nuts 
• young children need a lot 
• Deficiency - rickets and osteoporosis (weak bones)
• works with Vitamin D 

Iron: 

• form red blood cells - carry oxygen around body - haemoglobin
• E.g. red meat, wholemeal bread, dried fruit, plain chocolate 
• stored in liver 
• Deficiency - anaemia - women and children most common 

Sodium:

• no more than 6g a day - maintains correct concentration of body fluids 
• E.g. table salt, cooked meats, bacon, salty snacks 

Macronutrients - Needed in large quantities - form the bulk of our diet

E.g. Proteins, Fats, Carbohydrates 

Micronutrients - Needed in very small quantities - vital to health 

E.g. Vitamins, Minerals 

Government guidelines - improve diet and lifestyle

Reduce cancer, coronary heart disease, strokes, diabetes and obesity

Deficiencies or Excesses - result in diet-related medical conditions