Nutrition

World Health Organization (WHO)

Objectives
• To know the definition of nutrient
• The student will know some importance of nutrition
• Revisiting the basic core food groups
• Understanding the use of the food pyramid
• To understand different terms use in nutrition to have the
basic idea in choosing food.
 Nutrition

Nutrition is a critical part of health and development. Better nutrition is related

to improved infant, child and maternal health, stronger immune systems,
safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases
(such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease), and longevity.

Healthy children learn better. People with adequate nutrition are more
productive and can create opportunities to gradually break the cycles of
poverty and hunger.
 Nutrition

Malnutrition, in every form, presents significant threats to human health.

Today the world faces a double burden of malnutrition that includes both
undernutrition and overweight, especially in low- and middle-income
countries.
WHO is providing scientific advice and decision-making tools that can help
countries take action to address all forms of malnutrition to support health
and wellbeing for all, at all ages.
This fact file explores the risks posed by all forms of malnutrition, starting
from the earliest stages of development, and the responses that the health
system can give directly and through its influence on other sectors,
particularly the food system.
Explaining Nutrition

Nutrition is how food affects the health of the body. Food is essential—
it provides vital nutrients for survival, and helps the body function and
stay healthy. Food is comprised of macronutrients including protein,
carbohydrate and fat that not only offer calories to fuel the body and
give it energy but play specific roles in maintaining health. Food also
supplies micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and phytochemicals
that don't provide calories but serve a variety of critical functions to
ensure the body operates optimally.
 Go, Grow and Glow Foods

Go Foods are the type of food that provide fuel

and help us ‘go’ and be active. Examples of ‘Go’
foods include bread, rice, pasta, cereals and
potato. These foods give our muscles fuel to run,
swim, jump, cycle and our brain fuel to
concentrate. If we don’t eat enough ‘Go’ foods
then we can feel tired and won’t have enough
fuel to get through the day. It’s important to
include ‘Go’
foods at all meals and especially breakfast so that our body
and brain can get ready for the busy school day ahead.
 Go, Grow and Glow Foods
Grow Foods help our body grow bigger and
stronger. ‘Grow’ foods help build our body’s
bones, teeth and muscles.
Examples of ‘Grow’ foods include chicken, meat,
fish, eggs and milk, cheese and yoghurt. All of
these foods help to keep us feeling full so that we
don’t get hungry straight away. ‘Grow’ foods
also help keep our brain bright and focused. If
we don’t
eat enough ‘Grow’ foods our bodies won’t have the right
building blocks to make us taller and stronger.
 Go, Grow and Glow Foods

Glow Foods are full of vitamins and minerals to keep

our skin, hair and eyes bright and glowing. ‘Glow’ foods
can keep our immune system strong so that we can fight
bugs and viruses. Examples of ‘Glow’ foods include all
fruits and vegetables. Brightly coloured fruits and
vegetables are full of vitamins and minerals and we
need to eat
different types every day. What did you eat yesterday – were
there lots of different coloured fruit and vegetables? Try and
eat fruit and vegetables
Jump Concentrate Swim

GO Foods

These foods give us energy to help us ‘go’ and be active

Explaining Macronutrients: Protein, Carbohydrate
and Fat

Protein: Found in beef, pork, chicken, game and wild meats,

fish and seafood, eggs, soybeans and other legumes included
in traditional Central America cuisine, protein provides the
body with amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of
proteins which are needed for growth, development, and repair
and maintenance of body tissues. Protein provides structure to
muscle and bone, repairs tissues when damaged and helps
immune cells fight inflammation and infection.
 Explaining Macronutrients: Protein, Carbohydrate
and Fat

Carbohydrates: The main role of a carbohydrate is to provide energy

and fuel the body the same way gasoline fuels a car. Foods such as corn,
chayote, beans, plantains, rice, tortilla, potatoes and other root
vegetables such as yucca, bread and fruit deliver sugars or starches that
provide carbohydrates for energy.

Energy allows the body to do daily activities as simple as walking and

talking and as complex as running and moving heavy objects. Fuel is
needed for growth, which makes sufficient fuel especially important for
growing children and pregnant women. Even at rest, the body needs
calories to perform vital functions such as maintaining body temperature,
keeping the heart beating and digesting food.
Explaining Macronutrients: Protein, Carbohydrate
and Fat

Fat: Dietary fat, which is found in oils, coconut, nuts, milk,

cheese, meat, poultry and fish, provides structure to cells and
cushions membranes to help prevent damage. Oils and fats
are also essential for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins including
vitamin A, a nutrient important for healthy eyes and lungs.
 Explaining Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are food components that help support overall
health and play important roles in cell metabolism and neurological
functions.

Vitamins aid in energy production, wound healing, bone formation,

immunity, and eye and skin health.
 Explaining Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals

Minerals help maintain cardiovascular health and provide structure to

the skeleton.

Consuming a balanced diet including fruits, vegetables, dairy, protein

foods and whole or enriched grains helps ensure the body has plenty
of nutrients to use. Providing a few examples of specific micronutrient
functions can enhance the effectiveness of nutrition education:
Explaining Micronutrients: Vitamins and Minerals

•Vitamin A helps the eyes to see

•Calcium and magnesium help muscles and blood vessels
relax, preventing cramps and high blood pressure
•Vitamin C helps wounds heal and the body’s ability to fight
off germs
•Iron helps the blood transport oxygen throughout the body
and prevents anemia
 Explaining the Concept of Nutrients as Building Blocks

Building blocks include protein for growing babies in utero, for child
and adolescent growth, and for repairing damaged skin, blood, and
other body parts in adults who aren't growing. Some parts of the
body are replaced regularly, like blood and skin, so even adults are
building new body parts regularly. Calcium is also a building block for
building bones. Iron is a building block for blood. Since blood cells
only last a few months, the body constantly needs more iron and
protein to make new blood.
 Definitions of Health Terms: Nutrition
Nutrition is about eating a healthy and balanced diet. Food and drink provide the energy
and nutrients you need to be healthy. Understanding these nutrition terms may make it
easier for you to make better food choices.

Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. The body produces many amino acids
and others come from food. The body absorbs amino acids through the small intestine
into the blood. Then the blood carries them throughout the body.
Blood Glucose
Glucose — also called blood sugar — is the main sugar found in the blood and
the main source of energy for your body.

Calories
A unit of energy in food. Carbohydrates, fats, protein, and alcohol in the foods and
drinks we eat provide food energy or "calories."

Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of the body.
Your body needs some cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and
substances that help you digest foods. Your body makes all the cholesterol it
needs. However, cholesterol also is found in some of the foods you eat. High
levels of cholesterol in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease.
 Diet
Your diet is made up of what you eat and drink. There are many
different types of diets, such as vegetarian diets, weight loss diets,
and diets for people with certain health problems.

Dietary Supplements
A dietary supplement is a product you take to supplement your diet. It contains one
or more dietary ingredients (including vitamins; minerals; herbs or other botanicals;
amino acids; and other substances). Supplements do not have to go through the
testing that drugs do for effectiveness and safety.

Electrolytes
Electrolytes are minerals in body fluids. They include sodium, potassium,
magnesium, and chloride. When you are dehydrated, your body does not have
enough fluid and electrolytes.
Enzymes
Enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Fatty Acid
Fatty acid is a major component of fats that is used by the body for energy and
tissue development.

Fiber
Fiber is a substance in plants. Dietary fiber is the kind you eat. It's a type of
carbohydrate. You may also see it listed on a food label as soluble fiber or
insoluble fiber. Both types have important health benefits. Fiber makes you
feel full faster, and stay full for a longer time. That can help you control your
weight. It helps digestion and helps prevent constipation.
Metabolism
Metabolism is the process your body uses to get or make energy from the
food you eat.

Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It can also be in products
such as vitamin and nutrient supplements, lip balms, and certain medicines.
Monounsaturated Fat
Monounsaturated fat is a type of fat is found in avocados, canola oil, nuts, olives
and olive oil, and seeds. Eating food that has more monounsaturated fat (or
"healthy fat") instead of saturated fat (like butter) may help lower cholesterol and
reduce heart disease risk. However, monounsaturated fat has the same number of
calories as other types of fat and may contribute to weight gain if you eat too
much of it.

Polyunsaturated Fat
Polyunsaturated fat is a type of fat that is liquid at room temperature. There
are two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): omega-6 and omega-3.
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in liquid vegetable oils, such as corn oil,
safflower oil, and soybean oil. Omega-3 fatty acids come from plant sources—
including canola oil, flaxseed, soybean oil, and walnuts—and from fish and
shellfish.
Sodium
Table salt is made up of the elements sodium and chlorine - the technical name
for salt is sodium chloride. Your body needs some sodium to work properly. It
helps with the function of nerves and muscles. It also helps to keep the right
balance of fluids in your body.

Sugar
Sugars are a type of simple carbohydrate. They have a sweet taste. Sugars can be
found naturally in fruits, vegetables, milk, and milk products. They are also
added to many foods and drinks during preparation or processing. Types of sugar
include glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Your digestive system breaks down sugar
into glucose. Your cells use the glucose for energy.
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