Nutrition Science Basics

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Introduction To Nutrition Science Basics

This lesson teaches students about the nutritional properties of food

including water, calories, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. By teaching
nutritional science basics, we lay the foundation for students to
understand what a balanced diet is, how too many calories can lead to
weight gain, and the kinds of information to look for on a nutrition label
in order to make healthy choices.

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Today’s goals
We can...
● Identify the primary groups of nutrients that make up our diet.
(macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals)
● Understand the importance of eating a nutritionally balanced
diet and drinking plenty of water.
● Understand how to read and interpret a food label.
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Vocabulary
● Nutrients
○ All of the foods we eat contain nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and
minerals are important for our health and help us fight disease The three main
types of nutrients are carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Different kinds of foods
contain different amounts of these nutrients
● Energy
○ The energy in our food comes from carbohydrates, proteins, and fats as they are
broken down and changed within our body. The amount of energy that a food
contains is measured in calories. If we eat more calories than we use by staying
alive and doing activities, the extra energy is stored in the form of body fat.
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● Carbohydrates
○ are an important source of immediate energy; they are made up of
sugars and are found in everything from bread, to fruits and
vegetables, to milk

■ Simple carbohydrates- usually taste sweeter but are less

healthy – they are found in white bread, soda, fruit juice.
■ Complex carbohydrates are healthier. Healthier because they
take longer to break down. Examples:oatmeal, whole grain
bread and vegetables.
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● Fats
○ is used for long-term energy storage and helps with the
functioning of the brain, skin and other organs. It also helps us
to use vitamins.
■ Saturated fats- come from animal sources
■ Unsaturated- healthier fats from olive oil, nuts/seeds,
avocados.
BUYER BEWARE
Vocabulary

● Proteins

○ are very important for our cells’ functioning – they help with things
like growing bones, muscles, hair and nails, and the health of our
immune system and blood.

○ The main sources of proteins are animal products, beans and nuts.
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