6 Essential Nutrients

Proteins

Builds and repairs all tissues and cells in the body. Found in: Foods of animal origin; meat, fish, eggs, milk, and nuts and beans.

Saturated fats

Butter, meat, chocolate, fried foods; Fat that is solid at room temperatures

Calcium

Essential for the formation of bones and teeth; found in dairy foods, dark green vegetables, almonds, fish

Iron

Essential for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood; Found in red meats, raisins, dark leafy vegetables

Simple carbohydrates

Foods high in sugars - added or natural; Cakes, cookies, cereal, juice

Complete proteins

Includes all of the essential amino acids required from food because the body cannot manufacture them

Minerals

Involved in a wide range of functions, including bone and blood formation.

Vitamins

Involved in a wide range of functions, including normal cell division and growth, wound healing, the development of good eyesight

Cholesterol

Made in the body and found naturally in food of animal origin. Aids with digestion.

Osteoporosis

Nutrient deficiency where bones become brittle, weak and have holes. Results from a lack of bone building nutrients such as calcium.

Anemia

Nutrient deficiency where there is a lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood. A person becomes weak and pale in color.

Unsaturated fats

Oils - liquid at room temperature. (monounsaturated fats are nuts, avocado: "good fat")

6 categories of nutrients

Protein, Fat, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Minerals, Water

Supplements

Replacement for nutrients that can be in pill, powder or liquid form.

Water soluble vitamins

The 8 B Group Vitamins and Vitamin C

Water

The major constituent of all body fluids, maintains the body's temperature and essential for digestion; found in water, soups, fruit, milk.

Fats

The most concentrated source of energy and necessary for fat soluble vitamins to digest; cushions and protects our vital organs.

Carbohydrates

This nutrient is broken down during digestion into glucose and it is then used by the cells as the body's main source of energy

Fat soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, K

Complex Carbohydrates

Whole grain cereals as well as vegetables, legumes and fruit.

Calories

measurement of food energy