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A Balanced Diet and Nutrition: The Nutritional Function
A Balanced Diet and Nutrition: The Nutritional Function
CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates consist of starch and types of sugar, e.g. Glucose (the sugar our body
use for respiration) and lactose (the sugar in milk). We need carbohydrates to give us
energy. Starch is made up if smaller glucose molecules joined together. Plants store
glucose as starch. Glycogen is also a carbohydrate. Animals store glucose as glycogen.
These foods contain a lot of carbohydrates:
A BALANCED DIET
The amount of energy a person needs in their diet depends on age, gender and their level of activity. If a
person takes in a larger amount of energy than they use up exercising, the excess
is stored as fat.
If a person becomes overweight, they are more likely to suffer health problems
such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
PROTEINS
Your body cells are mostly made up of protein. Proteins are made up of lots of
amino acids. We need protein to repair and replace damaged cells or to make
new cells during growth.
Many diets in the world are deficient in protein, but children in particular need
a lot of protein in their diets for growth.
Kwashiorkor is a protein deficiency disorder that is common in developing
countries because peoples diets consist of mainly starchy vegetables. In particular, they do not get enough animal protein, which contains all the essential amino acids not made within the
body.
FATS
Fats are made from fatty acids and glycerol. We need fats for a store of energy, to make cell
membranes and to warmth (insulation).
Fat can also be bad for us. Cholesterol is a fatty deposit that can narrow arteries and contribute to heart disease. Cholesterol is made in the liver and is found in the blood. The level
of cholesterol in the blood is influenced by the amount and type of fat in the diet.
Saturated fats increase blood cholesterol.
Monounsaturated fats have little effect and polyunsaturated fats may
help reduce blood cholesterol.
Genetic factors, smoking and alcohol can also contribute to the effects of cholesterol.
FIBRE
Fibre, or roughage, comes from plants. Fibre is not actually digested, but it keeps food moving smoothly through
your system. It prevents constipation.
C A S A
C A S A
ACTIVITIES
1)Which carbohydrate is found in milk?
A)
glucose
B)
lactose
C)
maltose
D)
starch
2)A diet deficient in protein can
lead to the disease
A)
influenza
B)
kwashiorkor
C)
measles
D)
pneumonia
3)Cholesterol is a type of
A)
carbohydrate
B)
fat
C)
protein
D)
vitamin
55%
65%
75%
85%
NUTRIENT
carbohydrate
FOUND IN
cereals
fibre
protein
USED FOR
Cools us down
Lean meat
salt
Nervous impulses
7) a) The Atkins diet is a slimming diet which suggest that eating a lot of protein helps you to lose weight. How is
the Atkins diet thought to work?.
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b) What problems have been associated with the Atkins diet?.
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C A S A
ACTIVITIES
8) Food manufacturers are required to label their prod- 9)The table shows the energy needs of females of at
ucts with nutritional information.
different times in her life.
Look at the two labels and answer the questions:
ENERGY NEEDS IN A DAY
LIFE STAGE
Brendas Beans
Typical values per 100 g
Energy
400 kJ
Energy
70 kJ
Protein
7.0g
Protein
1.0g
Carbohydrates
20.0g
Carbohydrates
3.0g
Fats
of which saturated
1.0g
0.5g
IN KJ
TOMs TOMATOES
Fats
of which saturated
Fibre
6.5g
Fibre
Salt
1.0g
Salt
At infant school
8.500
At secondary school
9.500
Adult
10.000
Pregnant adult
11.500
0.1g
trace
0.5g
trace
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C) Which food is better for a person suffering from risk D) What happens to energy rich foods that are not used
of strokes and why?.
during respiration?.
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........................................................................................... E) Name the disease commonly called the slimming
........................................................................................... disease?.
D) Brendas beans contain more energy.
...........................................................................................
Explain one other reason why they are better for a teen- ...........................................................................................
ager.
........................................................................................... F) List two symptoms of the disease named in E).
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