Nutrition and Your Health

During the Teen Years

Nutrition

The process by which the body takes in & uses food.

Not all foods offer the same benefits

Importance of Good Nutrition

Enhances quality of life

Helps prevent diseases (IE- Phytochemicals such as lycopene)

Provides you w/ the calories & nutrients for max energy (IE.-Carb loading)

Calorie (kilocalorie)

Units of heat that measure the energy used by the body & the

energy that foods supply the body

Nutrients

Substances in food that your body needs to grow, repair itself, & supplies you with energy

What Influences Your Food Choices Physical need & psychological desire between

hunger & appetite Taste plays an important part…if you don’t like

the taste your probably not going to eat it no matter how healthy it is (IE-Rocky and raw eggs)

Hunger & Appetite

Hunger-natural physical drive that protects you from starvation

Appetite-is a desire, rather than a need, to eat

Foods & Emotions

Food is sometimes used to meet emotional needs (stress/depressed)

Food & Your Environment

A number of environmental factors influence food choices…

Family, friends, & peers-many habits were shaped as you were growing up (eat everything on your plate!)

Other Influences

Cultural & Ethnic Background Convenience & Cost Advertising (Coke vs Pepsi, subliminal

messaging?)

Group WorkExploring Issues p.112 In your groups: Read “Should Soft Drinks and Snacks Be Taxed to

Fund Health Education Programs”, then discuss/debate and answer the two questions at the bottom.

Share your stance