Nutrients for Wellness Six types of Nutrients: Eating a variety of these nutrients is essential to good health. Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Vitamins.

Nutrients for Wellness

Six types of Nutrients: Eating a variety of these nutrients is essential to good health.

Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Vitamins Minerals Water

Nutrients for Wellness Carbohydrates- are the sugars and

starches hat provide your body with most of its energy.

Carbohydrates can be both simple and complex.

Simple Carbs or sugars are often found in fruits, milk, and honey. Sugar is also added to cookies.

Complex Carbs or starches are often found in breads, cereals, pasta, rice, potatoes, dry beans, corn, and other starchy veggies.


Breakdown of Complex Carbs Broken down in to simple sugars Absorbed into the blood stream to

provide energy

Nutritionist recommend that 50-60% of your daily calories come from carbohydrates.


Proteins- Nutrients your body uses to build, repair, and maintain cells and tissues.

Proteins also help fight diseases, and provide energy when your body doesn't get enough from other sources.


Amino Acids – small units that make up proteins

The body can produce most amino acids on its own.

Essential Amino Acids, must come from foods we eat.

What foods? Animal sources – meat, fish, poultry, eggs,

milk, and yogurt contain complete proteins.

Nutrients for Wellness Fats are nutrients that provide energy and

perform many functions for your body.

Healthy skin Normal Growth

Saturated Fats – fats that are solid at room temperature.

Butter Red meat Cheese

Eating to much saturated fats could lead to an increased risk of heart disease.


Unsaturated Fats – Fats that remain liquid at room temperature.

Vegetable oils Nuts Avocados

Unsaturated fats lower cholesterol levels and are considered healthier than saturated fats.


Vitamins – substances needed in small quantities to help regulate body function.

Vitamins help our body fight infections, use other nutrients,and perform other task.

Two types of vitamins – water-soluble and fat-soluble

Water soluble vitamins can not be stored in the body. However, fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the body.


Minerals – elements needed in small quantities for forming healthy bones and teeth and for regulating certain body processes.

See Vitamin and Mineral hand-out for more information regarding functions of vitamins and minerals.



Water is a nutrient that is very vital to your life and health.

Over half of your body is made up of water. Water is used as a transporter, aids in

digestion, a lubricant for joints, removes waste, and regulates body temperature.

We lose water through sweat and urine. Therefore we need to constantly replace it. It is recommended that we drink eight 8oz glasses of water a day.


Fiber – the part of fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans that your body cannot digest.

Fiber helps move food particles through the digestive system.

Including fiber in your diet can help lower your risk for certain types of cancer and reduce heart disease.

Foods high in fiber include whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables.

Nutrients for Wellness Cholesterol – A waxy substance used by

the body to build cells and hormones to protect nerve fibers.

Cholesterol is produced in the liver and circulates to the blood.

Two types of cholesterol – LDL Low Density (Bad Cholesterol) and HDL High Density(Good Cholesterol)

LDL leaves deposits on the walls of blood vessels. This can raise the risk of a heart attack and heart disease.


Sodium – A necessary nutrient that helps control the balance of fluids in the body..

Sodium occurs naturally in salt. Most Americans eat more sodium than they

need. Too much sodium can lead to high blood

pressure.


Caffeine – A substance that stimulates the nervous system and can become habit-forming.

Stimulates the heart rate and the appetite. It is best to limit your intake of caffeine.

Lesson Review Define Carbohydrates List two examples of simple and two

examples of complex carbohydrates. Define protein and explain why your body

needs it. What is the difference between saturated

fats and unsaturated fats? What percent of your daily calories should

come from Carbohydrates? What Mineral makes up over half of your

body?

Nutrients for Wellness Six types of Nutrients: Eating a variety of these nutrients is essential to good health. Carbohydrates Proteins Fats Vitamins.

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