Why do we eat?

Carbohydrates are used for energy.

• 1 gram = 4 Calories• 50%-60% of your diet should be from carbs.

• Simple Carbohydrates found in fruits, some veggies, juice, milk, candy, etc… give us quick energy boosts.

• Complex Carbohydrates found in potatoes, rice, corn, and grain products give us an even, prolonged energy supply.

Fatty acids are part of our cell structure, support internal organs, insulate us and are high in energy• Needed in small amounts (1 gram =

9 Calories)• Too much fat causes you to store

extra energy as fat. • Should be between 10%-30% of daily calories.

Unsaturated Fat (usually liquid at room temperature) Good for you

Saturated Fats are usually solid at room temperature. Not good for you. Leads to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and high cholesterol.

Protein is made from amino acids and is used for growth and cell repair.• 1 gram = 4 Calories• 12% of your diet should be protein.

Complete Proteins have all the essential amino acids.

Incomplete Proteins from plants are missing one or more essential amino acids.

• Recommended Daily Calories

• Vitamins, minerals, nucleic acids help cells, tissues, and organs to function.

Water Soluble Vitamins

• Are not stored in the body.• Include B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, biotin, folic acid, Pantothenic acid (B5),

and vitamin C

Fat Soluble Vitamins

• Dissolved in fat and are stored in the body

• A,D,E,K

Minerals are found in the soil and are not made by living things.

Water is the most important nutrient.

• We need between 8-10 glasses a day.

Calories verses calories

• One food Calorie equals 1000 scientific calories.

• One scientific calorie is equal to the energy required to heat 1 ml of water by 1 degree Celsius.