2: What is Food?
Organic Nutrients
- Classification of: - Carbohydrates - Proteins - Lipids (Fats & Oils) - Vitamins - Composed of carbon atoms - Covalently bonded (share electrons) * Proteins are not used as a source of energy. They are more valuable as a source of amino acids. * Electrons can be energized, thus contain lots of stored energy (Calories).
Inorganic Nutrients
- No Carbon - No Calories - Are Minerals: - Ions - Salt - Electrolytes *Water(H2O) is inorganic
Lipid (fat) Soluble
- Nonpolar - Will NOT dissolve in water Examples: Fats Oils Sterols Vitamins: A, D, E, K
Macronutirents
- Nutrients needed in large amounts. - Organic Nutrients - Carbohydrates - Proteins - Fats (lipids) - Some Inorganic - Calcium(Ca) - Potassium(K) - Sodium(Na) - Water(H2O) * There is a high concentration of macronutrients in plants.
Micronutrients
- Nutrients needed in small amounts (Trace Elements) - Inorganic Nutrients: - Zinc(Zn) - Selenium(Se) - Cobalt(Co) - Some Organic (Vitamins) * There is a low concentration of micronutrients in plants.
What are the general characteristics of food?
- Organic material - Must be digested to yield absorbable components(nutrients) - What is NOT digested must be eliminated
Resveratrol
- Phytochemical - Antioxidant - Found in the skin of red and black grapes
Lycopene
- Phytochemical - Antioxidant - Found in tomatoes
Water Soluble
- Polar - Will dissolve in water Examples: Sugars Amino Acids Salts(ions) Vitamins: B, C
Energy
- The capacity to do work - Comes from Calories - Potential energy = chemical energy * Calories are stored energy aka potential energy.
Bomb Calorimeter(Calorimetry)
An instrument that measures the heat energy released when foods are burned, thus providing an estimate of the potential energy of the foods.
Energy Balance
Balance between the amount of Calories that we take in versus the calories we burn. * A positive energy balance will result in weight gain and potential health issues.
Phytochemicals
Chemicals in plant-based foods that are not nutrients but that have effects on the body.
Vitamins
Essential nutrients that do not yield energy, but that are required for growth and proper functioning of the body. Not a serious source of Calories, but Important as a catalyst.
Zoochemicals
Health-promoting substances found in animal foods
What is food?
Material that is ingested for the purposes of providing Calories or chemical components for the maintenance of life.
Essential Nutrients
Nutrients necessary for normal body functioning that must be obtained from food. Examples: - Water(H2O) - Calcium(Ca) - Sodium(Na) - Vitamins Removal from diet = decline in health quality Restored in diet = increase in health quality
Nonessential Nutrients
Nutrients that can contribute to health benefits. If you are missing a nonessential nutrient from your diet, you will not see a decline in health quality. You'll just miss out on it's benefits.
Functional Group
Small arrangement of atoms that confers properties on the overall molecule. Individual amino acids are characterized by two functional groups: 1. Amino group (NH2) 2. Acid group [COOH(carboxyl group)]
Calories
Unit of energy
