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BASIC NUTRITION�

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NUTRITION

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The provision of energy and nutrients (in terms of amount, mix and timeliness) to the cells for them to perform their physiological function (of growth, reproduction, defense and repair) for a healthy and disease-free life.

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FOOD

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Food is any non toxic solid, semi-solid or liquid substance, which when ingested provides the body with one or more nutrients.

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NUTRIENTS

Nutrients are chemical substances found in food which when ingested and metabolized in the body give them the property to perform certain physiological functions.

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These functions include:

  • Provision of energy,
  • Providing the essential materials for building the body,
  • Controlling and regulating body processes.

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NUTRIENTS

Example of nutrients

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  • Carbohydrates
  • Proteins
  • Fats and oils
  • Vitamins
  • Minerals
  • Water

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CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD

Food can be classified based on the

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  • Major functions it performs in the body
  • Major nutrients it contains
  • Geographical location etc.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD

Major functions it performs in the body

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  • Body building foods -protein foods
  • Energy giving foods -carbo., fats and oils
  • Protective foods -vits. and mins.

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CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD

Major nutrients it contains

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  • Carbohydrates -yam, maize
  • Proteins -meat, fish
  • Fats and oils -palm oil, pork fat
  • Vitamins -orange, pineaple
  • Minerals -coconut, cashew
  • Water -water, all foods

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CLASSIFICATION OF FOOD

Geographical location

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The six (6) Ghanaian food groups

  • Cereals and grains
  • Starchy roots and plantain
  • Animals and animal products
  • Fats and oils
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Beans, nuts and oil seeds

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Water

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An ionic compound (H2O)

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The normal body (70kg) is made up of 60-70 % of fluid (water)

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Water

Functions

  • It is essential for digestion and absorption of food
  • Combines with waste material to be excreted
  • Helps maintain the temperature of the body
  • Helps in transporting nutrients to other parts of the body

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Water

Functions

  • It plays an active role in the body’s electrolyte balance
  • Serves as a medium for all body processes
  • Lubricates joints and organs
  • Quenches thirst

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Water

Sources

  • Drinking water
  • All foods including the so called dried foods

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Water

Symptoms of Dehydration

  • Frequent headaches
  • Higher body temperature
  • Tire easily and dizziness
  • Depression and forgetfulness
  • Lack of concentration
  • Pass small quantities of urine which may result in kidney failure

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General knowledge on water

  • Avoid getting thirsty
  • Avoid drinking ice-cold water
  • Drink a minimum of 30mins before and after meals.
  • Consume fruits with high water content.
  • Healthy choices of social drinks include fresh fruit juices, millet drinks(zomkom), guinea corn drink(non-alcoholic:pito-brukutu), corn drink(assana), sobolo(red zinger), ginger drink.

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

  • Carbohydrates

are made most of CHO atoms

Carbohydrates

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Monosaccharide Disaccharides Polysaccharides

glucose maltose starch

fructose sucrose fibre

galactose lactose glycogen

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Carbohydrates

Functions in the body

  • Provides energy (4kcals/g) for the body
  • Spares protein
  • Prevents fat metabolism for energy
  • Forms components of cells

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Carbohydrate makes food bulky and testier.

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Carbohydrates

Functions of fibre

  • Delays gastric emptying time hence you feel full
  • Weight reduction diet by increasing excretion of fat in the stool
  • Prevents constipation
  • Helps lower blood cholesterol levels hence reduce risk of heart diseases
  • Soaks up harmful substances from the gut

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Carbohydrates

Sources

  • Rice
  • Yams
  • Potatoes
  • Plantain
  • Banana
  • Wholewheat bread

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Carbohydrates

Deficiency

  • Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)
  • Tiredness and general body aches

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

  • Proteins

are organic substances made up of amino acids (H,C,O,N)

amino acid

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essential AA non-essential AA

(9 ess. aa) (11 non-ess. aa)

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

  • Protein

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Essential amino acid

Non-essential amino acid

  • Histidine
  • Valine
  • Leucine
  • Isoleucine
  • Lysine
  • Threonine
  • Methionine
  • Tryptophan
  • phenylalanine
  • Glutamine
  • Serine
  • Glutamic acid
  • Tyrosine
  • Glycine
  • Cystine
  • Alanine
  • Aspargine
  • Proline
  • Aspartic acid
  • Arginine

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Protein

Complete protein Incomplete protein

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contains all the essential amino acids plus many of the non-essential amino acids. Eg of food sources, eggs, milk, meat, fish, poultry, cheese

are deficient in one or more essential amino acids. Eg of food sources, leafy green vegetable, grains and legumes (peas and beans)

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Protein

Functions

  • Used for production of enzyme and hormones
  • Formation of antibodies (body immune system)
  • Provides other nutrients eg. Minerals
  • Provision of essential amino acids for making the body building process
  • Controls the body fluid-electrolyte balance
  • Controls body’s acid-base balance
  • Provides energy (4kcal/g) in the absence of carbohydrates or fats

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Proteins

Sources

  • Fish
  • Meat
  • Beans
  • Milk and milk products (cheese)
  • egg
  • Poultry

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Proteins

Deficiency

  • Protein energy malnutrition
  • Anaemia
  • Failure to thrive

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Lipids (Fats and oils)

Lipids (9Kcal/g) are generally defined as substances that are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

Made of CHO

In food, lipids occur as triglycerides (95%).

The remaining 5% include steroids (cholesterol) and phospholipids.

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Lipids (Fats and oils)

  • Triglycerides are made up of 3 fatty acids bound to a glycerol.

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Nutrients, functions, sources and deficiency

Lipids (Fats and oils)

Fats are divided into two groups

  • Saturated fats
  • Unsaturated fats