Nutrients

Objective: Students will be able to list and describe the six major nutrients

• Substances found in food that keep us healthy, and help our bodies grow.

What is a nutrient?

There are Six Essential Nutrients

• Carbohydrates• Fats• Proteins• Vitamins• Minerals• Water

Carbohydrates

• The body’s main source of energy– Sugars and Starches• Provide energy to the brain, muscles, and nervous

system

Simple Carbohydrates• Sugars that are digested

quickly for fast energy• Juice, fruit, milk

Complex Carbohydrates• Starches that take longer

to digest and provide longer lasting energy• Potatoes, whole grain

bread, legumes (peas, beans, peanuts)

Fats

• Source of energy that also helps the body against temperature changes

Saturated Fat• Solid at room temperature• Can clog arteries and cause

heart problems• Found in animal

products• Meat, poultry, butter,

lard, whole milk

Unsaturated Fat• Liquid at room temperature• Can be found in fish and

vegetable oils

Proteins

• Help build and repair the body

Complete proteins• Animal products high in

amino acids• Fish, meat, eggs,

milk cheese

Incomplete proteins• Plant products low in amino

acids• Legumes, nuts, whole

grains

Vitamins

• Compounds made by plants and animals• Do not provide energy• Help immune system to fight infection

Vitamins

Water-soluble Vitamins Fat-Soluble Vitamins• Needed to be taken on a

daily basis; cannot be stored in the body• Vitamin C – Helps heal

wounds• Fruits

• B Vitamins – Help release energy from foods you eat• Bread and Grains

• Can be stored within body fat• Vitamin A – Promotes

healthy skin and eyesight• Yellow and dark

green fruits• Vitamin D – Helps

maintain strong bones and teeth• Milk, egg yolks,

sunlight

Minerals

• Come from soil and water• Regulate body functions• Allow tissues to grow

Minerals

Calcium • Builds strong bones and teeth• Milk and dairy products

Potassium• Muscle growth, healthy

brain function, balances the water in your body• Bananas, cantaloupe,

raisins

Iron• Make red blood cells• Meat, fish, spinach

Sodium• Regulates blood

pressure, and assists nerves• Crackers, canned

food, soup, pretzels

Water

• Regulates body temperature• Helps digest food• Carries nutrients throughout the body

• Water• Milk• Juice• Fruits (some)

Exit Card

Using the meal you described on Dipity, give one example of something you ate or drank for each of the six essential nutrients

Turn this in to the teacher before you leave!

Bibliography

• http://www.k12.wa.us/HealthFitness/CBAs/MiddleSchool/NutrientWiseLessonPlan.pdf

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/508697-six-major-nutrients-of-the-body-and-their-uses/